Mmm! Chocolate Chip!by Jeff Himmel | |||
A couple of years ago I received an unusual piece of mail at the meeting house. It was a large envelope from a fund-raising organization. Inside I found a small package of chocolate chip cookies and a brochure explaining how a church could sell these cookie packs to help raise funds for a youth group, building improvements, and a host of other things. I promptly filed the brochure and envelope in my waste basket. The cookies were delicious. It seems churches everywhere are raising funds in all sorts of ways. They charge admission to certain church activities. They rent out parking space during local events like fairs and carnivals. They sell hundreds of different items (including chocolate chip cookies). And they make lots of money doing it. So surely it must seem very odd to most folks that we don’t do any of those things. But there is a reason. Jesus is head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22). He, and only He, makes the rules for what it is to do and how. We are warned not to exceed what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6); the church must function within the limits of the authority given by the Head. That applies to fund-raising as well as any other area. What does the Bible have to say regarding the funding of the work of the church? "There was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need" (Acts 4:34f). "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of the week, let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:1f). The New Testament authorizes contributions of Christians collected on the first day of the week. These contributions are individual, purposeful, and sacrificial. There is no hint of any other approach whatsoever to fund-raising. No investments, no admission fees, no product sales—nothing. The Head has spoken and His body must follow. Let us be content with what Christ has commanded. | See also Library Topics More on Ask a question about this article on the community boards. |