Why am I writing this?
I had to ask myself that question. Note the topic, my inner discourse go like this...
Felt led to address the subject of giving to Churches and Ministries. It's not exhaustive but more a starting guide. I wanted to address some of my concerns, observations and objections in my own dealings with the Church and ministries. To bring the hidden things of my own heart to light that they may be judged and set in order. That I might lay down my disappointment and frustration of my own walk and my own lack of due diligence, to give voice to it so that it may be judged and set aright.
I had to ask myself that question. Note the topic, my inner discourse go like this...
Felt led to address the subject of giving to Churches and Ministries. It's not exhaustive but more a starting guide. I wanted to address some of my concerns, observations and objections in my own dealings with the Church and ministries. To bring the hidden things of my own heart to light that they may be judged and set in order. That I might lay down my disappointment and frustration of my own walk and my own lack of due diligence, to give voice to it so that it may be judged and set aright.
Scripture is replete with instructions that those who are rich in this age are too be generous in giving, which we are as a people of God! Specifically God's people are too be moderate and temperate in all things, not love the things of the world or it’s systems. That God's people are not to heap up treasures for themselves, especially not those who live from the gospel. They are to be an example too all, publicly and privately. He even instructed the Kings he chose in the old testament not to heap up wives, horses, gold or silver. There is no room for boy toys in the Kingdom. Filthy lucre was called such as there is to be seen a demarcation in those who understand and humbly acknowledge as oversee’s they are living off the sweat and often the tears of the Saints. Many of whom, are simple and labor in the World for their own and the leaders provision. If your leaders or ministries live like the world owes them a living; affording themselves with the best your money can buy, giving all praise and glory to Jesus, know that they have publicly displayed what is privately in their hearts.
Paul warned that many would abuse and use the simple saints for their own lusts. Their reward will tarry, but it will surely come. In the mean time, make certain that where you give there is a full accounting and open disclosure in the sight of all men. Today many ministries invest in themselves rather than denying worldy lusts. They invest in bigger homes, better cars, better vacations, better clothing and care and think nothing of it, thinking it is their just 100 fold, 1000 fold return and justly so, while the bleeting sheep suffer. They in their forward thinking, are usurping that which was to be invested in the world, for returns to be made into the Kingdom. Squandering the Kings wealth. We are to be Wise and prudent stewards. Many forget that it is God who added and multiplied and spend it on their own lusts, forgetting they are to be moderate, giving, and live sacrifical lives of moderation in all things. An example. What a man does with HIS money, is a definable measure of a man of God and His work, whether it be unto the Lord and to what extent. Any favor enjoyed is from God, some think it's their due, their right, forgetting the whole counsel of the Word that bought them and the price that exceeds the pride of life, pride of face and the lusts of flesh. What happened to denying self?
I know first hand the piercing sorrow of not being satisfied with what the Lord provides in material goods. How it exposes us to the thief. The temptation to indebtedness, the way of the world. It can even blind you to what is right, into robbing God and not even be aware of it! When He provides there will be no sorrow attached to it, and if you can believe it, no strings of the world. No debtor to any man or financier. All those worldy lust are the things of this world. We are to owe no man anything except to love. How exactly do we divorce ourselves from the clarity of “Owe no man nothing, except to love”, yet indebt ourselves and the ministry God gives us to money lenders? They sold their stuff, got out of their obligations to the world and the collection and distribution was complete, so that no man lacked. This is the principle of Kingdom Living that the Church has turned it's back on. Why? I wonder a failing, or shortcoming of those stepping into ministry still holding onto the world system of indebtedness privately and corporately rather than trust the Lord who bought and paid for them to provide and bless with no sorrow (indebtedness). With this view, how can they expect the assemblies/congregants to do otherwise? Their would be no such instruction or admonition.
We are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. We are to invest. We are to buy and sell lands. The churches should own property and not just throw money away in leasing, with nothing to show for it after the time is spent. Where is the return? Prudence does dwell with wisdom. They are to be an example to the whole flock. I have no problem with giving, first fruits, tithes, alms but I want to know that the soil is good soil that the seed will not be washed away by cunning and crafty men. I want to have and be a part of a legacy. This scenerio in the New Testament did not come about as a fluke, it was part and particle of the pattern of Heaven, love displayed in the natural, not the pattern of this world. Instead we see each looking out for self, their family, their interests, their retirement, their pension, their investments, their stabliity, their pursuits, their ministries, their vacations, at the expense of the flock.
The believers had ONE HEART and ONE MIND and didn't hold anything as to being their own. Where did such a framework stem from? From being build up into one new man, it is the work of God. His signature. This is where you want to invest in a share for a legacy. The early believers saw that this world is not their home, they had entered into the Kingdom of God. They had been brought into heavenly places and had received the Fathers Heart, Love. The Kings Golden Sceptor had come to earth, Christ in us. Let us see! The treasury is not be be held in darkness, we are the Children of the Kingdom of Light.
When searching for community, see if these things are in place. Leaders who’s hearts are too protect the flock will hold a true staff to fend off wolves who would devour the sheep. Just because gifts are present does not mean that all is as it should be regarding stewardship. What is the nature of the administration and how is it carried out? Is there is an open accounting? The treasures of this world should be dispensed with prudence and discretion in an open and forthright manner, even the world understands and calls for fiscal accountability in the business and private sector. Gifts cannot be manipulated when there is full disclosure. Gifts for bribery, Paul said refuse them. How many are guilty of showing preference to the wealthy that do come into our assemblies, it is an embarrassment to Christ and all he died for. It is appalling, our own carnality and we dare not admit it. Let not your good be spoken of as evil, squandered by the trickery of men. Know that the eye dolls of the heart are to be dealt a death blow! Nothing to endorse or fund. Greed is idolatry Col. 3:5
Those who are out of step are to be taught Kingdom Principles that they too may begin to contribute and have a share in the wealth of God’s economy and Kingdom. Overtime reaping the benefits of the goodness of God in the land of the living. Being brought into One Mind and One Heart that truly liberates and sets free, free indeed. How else can we fulfill the admonition to owe no man anything except to love? Sets the Church apart as she is then freely giving and freely receiving that which cannot be bought. Her hands are not tied from giving. Freedom for even the heathen reap the Goodness of God from the children’s hands (in HIS name) as they are being and doing good to the good and evil alike, as their Father has instructed. That is the context, let no man mislead as it includes freedom from indebtedness to the world, not just ours but our assembly/congregation.
The fullness of the stature of Christ is the church built up, ONE NEW MAN. We have a qua se pattern right here for us too see, yet we ignore it, because of the lusts of our flesh and the pride of life and pride of face. Footholds and wedges for enemy to keep us in bondage and bound to this world system. Community living is not a warped caricature as a mocker would try to paint it, but the normal Christian life, in all honesty and purity. Do anyone dare to believe and replicate the pattern of moderation lain out in many scriptures, how they fit together? Let every assembly/congregant also establish a common fund, from which the needy among them are helped. To those who are willing, sell some property, your things, your stuff, your toys, as the Lord directs to provide for the needy inside and outside the Church. And that is Christianity in action, always -- to be concerned and do something about the care of others.
Our God, even we are carried off to Egypt by our lusts, God in his mercy and compassion will bring good when we repent and acknowledge our sin. I know that I can see His hand working even now to change our circumstance and bring my family out, where he wanted us to be all along. Oh, it would have been well with us had I steadfastly heeded His whole counsel regarding money and things of this world. I had the teachings, I had the instruction but I didn’t see it being emulated and I lusted. Many variables make up an outcome but following those who emulate the whole counsel of God in the midst of an every changing world. Leaders are be an example in all things. The sorrows would have been far fewer to date. So, let us be concerned with others and care for those among us, not turning your backs in their times of need. For you know we all fall short in many ways.
Let us search our hearts, and let God lead and direct the leaders and congregants into all truth regarding buying and selling and regarding the practice of true religion. Lord let your good spirit initiate your work in our lives individually and collectively, that there be no lack. That there be true community (not communal living). Lord let the simplicity of the truth drop into the hearts and minds of the hearers. Test your desires. Where do they come from?
Here is a leader who saw a problem with the modern church and he has attempted to provide a recommendation and solution. I see Jesus reminding the religious leaders that they tithed and gave alms but didn’t care for their parents, falling short. This gentlemen and I differ in part on the whole counsel of God in relation to his final analysis of the tithe and 501 (c) 3 status. Jesus upbraided the legalist regarding the tithe in Mathew 23:23 and clarified it there as being part of the law, we know he did not abolish it but fulfilled it from their legalistic perspective and surpassed it by paying all that was due on the cross. Now as we prosper, we give according to the Lords prospering, there is no compulsion or coercion allowed by leadership, that is clearly part of what he found replusive, here is a link to scripture http://biblehub.com/matthew/23-23.htm.
In regard to the church putting herself under the benefit and oversite of the government, check out this perspective http://hushmoney.org/free-church_solution.htm. We followed purely the bible early in our walk, being taught of the Lord we chose to pay a tenth as it is the first fruit of the substance of the Lord's prosperity to us and from there giving for the poor and needs of the church. Later we learned of Crown Ministries and I still find it the best, it was living by faith. Now I see Dave Ramsey is the go to but principals never trump faith http://www.thirdoptionmen.org/blog/problem-dave-ramsey-and-christian-financial-advisors/. So, whatever cards your dealt, whatever road you have been led down, take it all to the Lord, by faith and let Him work it out. He is more than able and again, since the work is finished, no man gets the Glory or the Honor due Him alone who is Good.
That said, , here is the link. The business perspective is enlightening as to what too look for in a church, it's is very pragmatic and maybe more than you could hope or ask for in regarding to actually finding in the ministry or church of today that stands outside of a denomination, here is the link http://books.google.com/books?id=4QZgl1L7pugC&pg=PA112&lpg=PA112&dq=should+a+church+disclose+what+it+does+with+the+money&source=bl&ots=AZkkO0U_CB&sig=hDgCXD3xqRPPUfb2ut2ZaRe65Dc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8GX3U9XdOte1yATZp4CICQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=should%20a%20church%20disclose%20what%20it%20does%20with%20the%20money&f=false The Lord said to buy wisdom and sell it not.
In regard to the church putting herself under the benefit and oversite of the government, check out this perspective http://hushmoney.org/free-church_solution.htm. We followed purely the bible early in our walk, being taught of the Lord we chose to pay a tenth as it is the first fruit of the substance of the Lord's prosperity to us and from there giving for the poor and needs of the church. Later we learned of Crown Ministries and I still find it the best, it was living by faith. Now I see Dave Ramsey is the go to but principals never trump faith http://www.thirdoptionmen.org/blog/problem-dave-ramsey-and-christian-financial-advisors/. So, whatever cards your dealt, whatever road you have been led down, take it all to the Lord, by faith and let Him work it out. He is more than able and again, since the work is finished, no man gets the Glory or the Honor due Him alone who is Good.
Non-the-less, it’s a starting place to educate oneself on fiscal accountability and what to look for.
Paul had defrauded no man and fiscal accountability is for the good of the leaders (blameless in the sight of all men) and the assembly/congregants (giving as unto the Lord). The leaders who watch over your souls must give an account to God and so they should as well be able to give an treasury (where the issues of the heart are disclosed) accounting to those who have submitted themselves to their rule of authority in obedience to God.
Whatever you do and whereever you give, do it as unto the Lord and not unto man but do your due diligence, invest in a true legacy.
Whatever you do and whereever you give, do it as unto the Lord and not unto man but do your due diligence, invest in a true legacy.
Women Winning Women
Kathie
