Lately there seems to be a multitude of churches doing fundraisers: spaghetti dinners, yard sales, and car washes. You know, the kind of things that civic clubs and social organizations do. I fear the church might leave the wrong impression about an organization that is supposed to be about giving away.
What if churches offered free car washes, clothing and food to the community and just provided a donation box in case a grateful person wanted to give back? I also fear the implication that God can’t “pay his own way” and needs outside help in doing his work. (Remember: Jesus never requested tax-exempt status for the church. Matthew 17:24-27, 22:19-21)
The first century disciples, coming from an Old Testament background, would have had a thorough grounding in supporting God’s work, from Leviticus 27:30 “the tithe (one-tenth) of everything belongs to the Lord” to Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse”. Standing on that foundation and making the confession “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9) simply meant that the New Testament church would never have any problem supporting the work of the Kingdom of God.
The early church’s social services are described in Acts 2:45, “they gave to anyone in need.” And they were expected to always give cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
The church needs to recover the picture of herself outstretched in an act of giving. The Body of Christ is not poor and does not need to beg. When God demands of his people, he always provides the resources. God will never be in debt to mankind for his work. God will never need to ask the state for a handout. When the church is focused on taking the Gospel to the world, walls of selfishness break down and the church accomplishes its mission through the liberality of its members. When non-Christians see Christians freed from self-centeredness and materialism, they will want to know why.
PRAYER: “O God, help us to follow your model of giving liberally as an expression
Of our devotion to You. You give us so much. Amen”
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