As a church, we had the opportunity to help brethren out who were victims of the recent hurricane in Texas. Christians also individually offered help to out people in general who were in need in those areas. Even though these were good things to do, what does the Bible says about this? Let’s take a closer look.

 

It is essential to remember that God’s people are to do good to all people, especially those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Even Jesus went out of His way to help those who were not followers of Him (Mark 1:32-34). Christians extend kindness to all, even towards their enemies (Rom. 12:19-21).

 

What Christians do with their own is their own business. However, when saints give to the Lord on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2), it is no longer “their own.” This is how it was told to a couple who lied about how much they contributed to the church treasury: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God,” (Acts 5:3-4).

 

Having demonstrated that God’s people can help whomever they want with their own funds, let’s now notice the limitations placed upon the local church. Peter mentioned above that money it is given to the church treasury, it is no longer our own. This means that the church funds are not used the same way as an individual’s funds. This is clearly demonstrated in I Timothy 5:16, where Christians are obligated to help their family members and not burden the church with it. Let’s see what churches can do with their funds to help the needy.

 

When it comes to helping those in need, there is no question that local churches are only supposed to help fellow saints. This includes both local brethren and those living elsewhere. Churches in the first century did this by sending relief funds to the elders of the church that had people in need (Acts 11:30).  Notice that the funds were sent directly to the church in need – they were not sent to a third church or other group to be pooled before getting distributed.

 

Contrast this with what individuals can do to help the needy. They could send it directly to a family in need. Or they could send it to some relief organization (like the Red Cross) who will then help those in need. That’s something we can do since it is “our own.” However, the Bible only contains limited examples for what they church can do. Again, the church must give it directly to those in need. To have some church collect funds from other churches to be a “sponsoring church” is unauthorized by the Lord.

 

Let us also consider what the local church can and cannot do concerning their own member’s needs.  In Acts 2, we find that those who were converted on the day of Pentecost soon found fellow saints in need. So what did they do? Some brethren stepped up and gave what they could (verse 45). From Acts 5, we know that funds given to the church are under the control of the church, not the individual member (verse 3-4). The local church then has the duty of helping those in the flock that are in need (Acts 6:1-7).

 

What kinds of needs do you think were incurred by the brethren in Acts 2? We can properly conclude it would be food and shelter. We know that not only did brethren help collectively, but they did as much as they could individually also. Acts 2:46 describes the brethren eating from house to house. Brethren were being hospitable by sharing what they had. What a wonderful attitude of selflessness! These brethren willingly gave twice knowing that Christians are to give cheerfully to the Lord (II Cor. 9:7) and are just as happy to share what they have on their own.

 

Whether we help someone individually or collectively as a church, the principle of II Thessalonians 3:10 should be applied. In this text we read that is if one is unwilling to work, neither should he eat. It is not our place to reward laziness. Churches are not in the business of being responsible for debts incurred by the irresponsible. This might seem cold and callous, but remember that the funds we give to the Lord are governed by the Lord (Col. 1:18).

 

Much of what a local church does to help needy members is non-specific. By this I mean that the scriptures do not state how much can be given or for how long – those are judgment calls made by the local church. That’s why the apostle told the brethren in Acts 6 to choose seven men who had a good reputation. You need those who are wise and will make decisions that are good and proper.

 

Unfortunately, faithful churches are being accused of being uncaring for not using their funds to help in ways that are not Biblically approved. If churches helped the needy without limit, just how many funds would a local church have to help spread the gospel and edify its members? The answer is, not a dime. As Jesus put it, you will always have the poor with you (Matt. 26:11).

 

Those who accuse the church of being heartless have failed to understand the first part of this article. Christians everywhere strive to be Christ-like and help who they can (whether Christian or not). The limitations placed upon the church do not limit individuals, just as Peter explained to Ananias in Acts 5. To see to what extend godly people help others, read the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).

 

Christians should find comfort in knowing that there is a church family ready to help in times of need. They should never feel guilty for needing or receiving assistance. May we all likewise be willing and ready to help whenever we find opportunity.

 

Chuck

 

Twenty things you should never hear from the pulpit

 

Many things are being taught in pulpits across the land that simply should not be happening. Perhaps fewer bad sermons would be given if more red flags went off in the minds of the audience.  If you hear the following in a pulpit, know that God’s word is being twisted:

 

1. Any false teaching (I John 4:1). “Mostly correct” is still wrong (Acts 18:24-24). This should not be tolerated.

 

2. Telling people exactly how much they are to give (I Cor. 16:1-2). Christians should not be told how much to give as that is left to individual Christians. Nor should they be told to tithe as this is part of the Old Law (II Cor. 9:7). This should not be tolerated.

 

3. Making assumptions on what one might have seen or heard, without verifying (Jn. 21:21-23).  We are told to speak the truth (Eph. 4:15). We are not to speak, then check it out, then retract. This should not be tolerated.

 

4. Teaching opinions as law (Rom. 14:1-3). No one has the right to bind his opinions on others. Christ holds all authority (Matt. 28:18). This should not be tolerated.

 

5. Making light of any sin (Gal. 19-21). Sin must be taken seriously. We should not make positive references to incorrect conduct we see in movies or TV (Rom. 1:29- 32). It does not

matter if these shows are fictional or not. This should not be tolerated.

 

6. Using people to your advantage (II Tim. 3:6). This sinful action is being done privately and publicly. As a young preacher, I was incorrectly told to use wealthier members as positive examples (I Thess. 2:5). This should not be tolerated.

 

7. To build oneself up (I Cor. 2:1-4). Trying to create an “image” or “persona” as a preacher and expecting to be treated differently than other church members is wrong (Acts 10:26). This should not be tolerated.

 

8. Speaking to embarrass or make fun of someone (Rom. 10:1-3). The last thing we want to do is hinder people from obeying (Acts 26:28). This should never be tolerated.

 

9. Anything that should have been dealt with privately (Matt. 18:15). Preachers should not “air their dirty laundry” or that of their members (I Tim. 5:19).  This should not be tolerated.

 

10. Promoting a product for a side business (I Pet. 4:11). The gospel message does not include advertisements (II Cor. 12:15-17).  This behavior need never be tolerated.

 

11. Promoting ungodly entertainment (Acts 20:20). To fit in with the world, act worldly. To be a light, one must not promote darkness (Eph. 5:11).  This should not be tolerated.

 

12. Inciting a rebellion against government (Rom. 13:1-7). You can hate sin without speaking evil of leaders (II Pet. 2:9-11). Such behavior should not be tolerated.

 

13. Threats to hurt people (Rom. 12:19-20). It is sad when people persecute Christians, but physical retaliation is not justified (I Pet. 5 2:21-23). This should never be tolerated.

 

14. Justification for sinful behavior in family (Matt. 10:37). Not preaching against something due to family ties is wrong (Acts 5:1-5). This action should not be tolerated.

 

15. That they have received “special” knowledge from God (John 16:13). The gospel is for all, and the message is understandable (John 8:32). Claims of special revelation should never be tolerated.

 

16. Lessons that are not practiced (Rom. 2:1-3). Preaching lessons that you do not try to reflect in your conduct is a double standard (Matt. 23:4). This should not be tolerated.

 

17.  Using personal testimonies to prove truth (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Christ contains the power to save. Personal experiences are not needed because the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45). This should not be tolerated.

 

18. Promising health and wealth to those who give financially (Acts 20:35). There is something wrong when Christians give and expect to be paid back physically (II Cor. 8:1-5). This should not be tolerated.

 

19. Words that promote prejudice (John 3:16). Those who do not believe the truth need not be hated – they need to be loved and taught the truth (Rom. 5:8). This should never be tolerated.

 

20. Filling sermons with stories and not God’s word (Col. 3:17).  The Lord gave the commission to go and preach the gospel. If a sermon is not primarily filled with the doctrine of Christ, it is not worth listening to (II John 9). This should never be tolerated.

 

What if one or more of these things are happening in the pulpit where you attend? The answer is simple – stop listening to it. Either the teaching in the pulpit must change or you must leave. You do not want to oppose God by endorsing error (II John 10-11). Consider these things during your next sermon.

                                                              

                                                                     Chuck

 

Things people think the church is

 

Imagine going to a mechanic and asking him to perform open heart surgery on you. This seems odd to you because you know what a mechanic does and does not do. There is a similar issue with the church that Jesus built (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28). Everyone has expectations for the church, but not all of these expectations are Biblical. Here is a list for us to consider:

 

The church is not in the money-making business

Local bodies of Christians (a church) must take care of their financial obligations via free-will offerings when gathered on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2). However, many religious sects think they are authorized to solicit funds from any person at any time by any means. I have seen “church” websites asking for donations. They also sell T-shirts and other merchandise to raise money. Religious groups also set up pre-schools, chicken dinners and yard sales with the intent to generate revenue. We should not be surprised that “churches” that are run like businesses and spend so much time focused on money are not following their spiritual head – Christ (Col. 1:18).

 

The church is not a social club

Christians truly enjoy being with one another, and this is not a bad thing. They are to have social interaction (Acts 2:46). If you do not enjoy being around your brothers and sisters while on earth, why would you want to spend eternity with them in heaven?  Yet many religious groups think the local church should focus on social matters rather than spiritual ones. I Corinthians 11:22 will help illustrate the difference. This is where brethren were told that if they wanted to have a feast and gather socially, they should gather and eat at home rather than doing so as an official act of the church. Despite this instruction, many religious sects today use church funds to plan senior citizen trips, youth lock-ins and sports leagues. When so many people do not discern between spiritual and social activities, we should not be surprised that people expect the church to serve as a social club.

 

The church is not in the entertainment business

This is not a repeat of the last point, although it is related. Worship of God should not become a theatrical production. Many churches use light shows, bands, loud music and other forms of entertainment during worship. These things might make worship more pleasing for “man”, but this means that the worship is no longer about God and His Son. True worship is for the Lord (John 4:24). You cannot expect God to approve of worship just because it makes you feel good (Gen. 4:1-4; Matt. 15:7-9).  Some people defend this behavior by pointing to the results – the large crowds that often attend these sorts of worship services. This argument misses the point. The gospel should be the only tool we need to reach people (Rom. 1:16). The power is in the gospel, not in the man who helps deliver it (I Cor. 2:1-5).

 

The church is not whatever you want it to be

Many people think that they can attend the church of their choice because they think that Christ will accept whatever makes them happy.  This thinking does not reflect the Jesus we read about in the Bible. We need to remember the church belongs to Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). People who start churches today based on any other pattern or influence are not following Him. Our Lord is the one who has ALL authority, meaning that the church does not have any authority. It does not matter what the “church” says – it only matters what Christ has said (II John 9).

 

You can justify where you attend by saying, “I get so much from where I attend.” But what does the Lord get? He demands faithfulness (Col. 3:17).                                               

        

Chuck