SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH!!

What do these things have in common??? Providing food for the hungry. Shelter for the homeless. Clothing for the needy. Financial assistance for those that need it, and health care for the sick and other needs that we might find ourselves in. If you say, they are all things that the government provides. You are right.

However, you would be suprised to know, that government, was not ordained to do that. The organization that is supposed to be administering these services, is the church.

From its inception, the church was given the responsibility to show the needy that God and those that serve Him, love them and want to make things better for them. This way, they would be more readily open to receive the good news of the gospel. But, how did the government get the responsibility??? The church handed it over to them, by default. Why??? Because the church, representing the Creator of the universe, couldn't afford to do it. Why?? Because it couldn't raise enough money to do it. Why?? Because individual members, did not, and do not think about doing what God says they should be doing, because of several reasons.

The first, is ignorance of God's word. They don't know about, [Lu 6:38]        Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Jesus is teaching a lesson on how to become financially well off. It starts off with you, giving something, usually money. And who are you supposed to be giving it to?? The work of the Lord. And what is the work of the Lord?? Spreading the gospel.
Gospel, means 'good news.'

Now, part of this duty, is meeting the needs of those you are ministering to. Even though our primary goal, is to win souls to the Lord, part of that may mean feeding, clothing, or providing shelter for them and their families.

However, this part of the church's ministry, is sorely lacking, because too many members, don't see the benefits of their giving to the church, especially the one they are a member of. They seem to get the feeling, that the money they are giving, is going in to the pastor's pocket. Or they feel that they can't afford it.

But, God says, if you give, you will receive back, what you give, with much increase. If you think of it like this, it is the best investment there is, in the world, then you can get an idea of what you are missing. No stock, no bank, no casino, or lottery ticket, can pay back what you will get from God, when you invest in the ministry.

Then you have tithes. Actually, these are the foundation of all giving. God commands that these be given, for the express purpose of meeting the spiritual, and other needs of those in the church, and the community. God says, Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Mal 3:11        And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

If you will notice, God is saying that when you give, like you are supposed to, you will once again, receive so many blessings from God, that you will not be able to handle them. And, He will make sure that you don't lose any of it.

But, once again, it comes from giving to the church. God has ordained the church, to meet all the needs of the people. And it is to do this, by its members, giving of their blessings.

Now, that is God's plan. However, that plan is failing, because people are not following it. They tend to think that the church, is supposed to get its money, from God, I guess. Any way, because the church isn't doing its job, and the needy are suffering, the government takes over the responsibility. And when they do that, they take the money from you through taxes.

You might say, so, what's the big deal?? The big deal, is that the government gives assistance, to a lot of people, that don't need it, or deserve it. They tend to spend more money, and doing less, than the church does. All because the church isn't able to do what it is supposed to, because its members won't do what they are supposed to.

All of this makes it seem that God, and His people, don't care.

It is important for Christians to support their local church, so that it can be about doing what God called it to do.

People worrying about giving the preacher their money, so he can buy a new car or house, may, in a very limited occurrence be the case, but that is an exception, rather than the rule.

Pastors, usually do receive money for their own use from special offerings, a percentage of the offerings, or a straight salary. If they have a membership of, let's say 100, and each of these people give $10.00, that's $1000.00. Some preachers get about 10% of the offering. That means they get $100.00 for that service. Now, if they hold about three services per week. That comes to $300.00 per week. Most people however, give $100.00 or more per week. If they all did, then that makes $10000.00 per week. The preacher, then gets $1000.00 per week. Not bad. However, if there were more members, giving more money, then the preacher, would still get only 10% of the offering.

Still, there is 90% of it left for doing the work of the Lord. So the excuse of people giving their money to the preacher is a little lame. If, however, you don't trust the pastor, leave that church, and find one that has a pastor you can trust, and support it.

You know what's funny??? Many of these same people, worrying about giving some man their money, will go to the casino's, and the race track, play numbers and the lottery, buy cigarettes, and liquor, or maybe even drugs, throwing many times more money away, than what they could be giving to the church, and getting blessed for it.

Good pastors, and good churches, are failing to survive, because their members don't support them.

Look around your community. See the young people, out on the streets with no place to go and nothing to do??? The local church could be providing an alternative for them, if it had the means to do it. The homeless people you see walking the street, or the hungry looking for a handout??? All of these could be getting help from the church, if it had the means to do it. But, it doesn't, because its members don't feel like giving anything.

The whole message of Christ, is being lost, because members of the church, are not doing their part.

During His ministry, Jesus, went around preaching the gospel, and demonstrating it. As Christians, we have the same responsibility that Jesus had. Oh, we can witness and testify all over the place, but, when it comes to giving to the church, so it can bless others that are in need, we have a problem. Sometimes, it may even be a brother or sister, in the Lord that needs help.

James, addressed this particular problem, when he wrote, [Jas 2:15 - 16] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Telling people how good God is, and then not showing it, is going to leave a lot of people in doubt, about this God, you claim to serve.

Jesus said once, [Lu 16:10 - 12] He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

This goes for everyone in the church, from the bishop on down to the lay person. Be faithful with what God has given you. He used the analogy of being faithful with another man's goods. Well, all that money you have in your pocket, belongs to God, in the first place, it's not yours. Therefore, if He has let you have it, and has told you what to do with it, then you need to do it. The result is, that if you can be trusted to do what is right, with, nickels and dimes, God will turn it in to much more.

People that say they can't afford to give much to the church, need to look at it like this, you can't afford, not, to give.

When it comes to tithes, not paying them, is robbing God, and He says you are cursed with a curse. There are some serious consequences, to not doing what God says you should. Investing in souls, pays big, and I mean "BIG" dividends. If you want to be able to afford to give, then, give, when you aren't able.

Another thing about supporting your local church. Your tithes should go there, at the least. Some Christians, send their tithes to ministries in other localities, cities, and states. Now while I have nothing against them, God has you in your neighborhood, to support that community. He doesn't want you supporting some other community, that you don't live in. You can send to other ministries, love gifts, or some other support, but your tithes, should go to your local church.

I don't know about you, but it disturbs me, when I go to a church, and sit there, and listen to the pastor preaching under the anointing of God, then hear them have to practically beg people, and I am talking about their members, to give. If every one gave, like they are supposed to, then churches wouldn't have to be bringing carnivals in, and selling dinners, and holding raffles, just to get money to pay the bills, let alone help anyone out.

Some Christians, join a church, because of its size, and what it has on the inside, seating for 1000 or more, air conditioned sanctuary, cushioned pews, carpeted floors, and other luxuries. They fail to realize, that these things cost money. Now, as far as I am concerned, if they don't want to obey God, then they need to be in a little store front church somewhere. That's all they deserve.

In these last days, things are going to be getting worse, and the church, is going to be called on, to show what it is made of. Are we really serious about helping our communities or are we going to turn that part over to the government???

The church, is responsible for meeting the needs of its community. You are responsible for meeting the needs of the church. If and when you do that, then, Jesus Christ, will be responsible for meeting, your needs.

*****************************************************************************

APRIL1999


HOME PAGE

TRACT LIST

NEWSLETTERS

TAPE LIST