Sore Subject

I had to opportunity to sit for a while today with a long time friend (over 30 years). We talked about the Church he attends. It was a sad but familiar story. The Church is dying. The town is withering, the jobs gone so young families move on to where jobs exists. The Church is down to just a few people (a number in the low teens) and the money coming in is not sufficient to support the expenses.

My friend told me that only two or three families provide financial resources for the needs. He mentioned that the Pastor is not one of them. While he (the Pastor) is paid well ($600 a week – remember this is a Church of a dozen or so people), and has a job in the local school system, he is not a giver.

I mentioned to my bride that I wish my job description included “bopping” Preachers/Pastors who do foolish things. Refusing even to talk with my friend (the only Deacon) about the problem – he just continues to ignore the reality that the Church will not survive with unGodly leadership. This under-Shepherd is responsible for the feeding, protection, and care of the “sheep” that make up this particular flock of God’s family. Not only is this “individual” (as opposed to Pastor) not teaching and setting the example for the people that giving is the design of God (“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7), but is helping to end the life of this portion of the Bride of Christ. God will not hold him unaccountable.

It is important for Believers to understand that financial support of God’s Church is commanded by Scripture. That is not because God is impotent to supply (in fact, just the opposite) but because we need to learn “giving” as demonstrated by Christ through the giving of His life (not to mention stepping down from his position in the Godhead, abandoning the splendor of Heaven, and experiencing the curse of sin [though sinless] which is death) to purchase our redemption.

If one is not a cheerful giver, one is missing one of the greatest blessings of God – the reality that no one can out give God, and His desire is to give “good gifts” to His Children (“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38).

How could a Pastor/Teacher not know that?