I truly hate to see churches selling dinners or doing other things to raise money. I believe it really shows a lack of faith in the Lord and a lack of obedience to Him. If you need to raise money for what you call "the Lord's work," is it truly His work? He is able to provide for His own and the promise is that He will be His children's Provider.
Here is a paper that I did back in January. I actually gave it to a couple of the ministry heads in my church. No response. No matter...I was obedient to God. Check it out!
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Introduction
What type of fundraising has biblical precedent? How should we, as Christians and particularly as a local body of believers, get the funds to do the work of the ministry God has given to us to do? Are worldly methods acceptable?
This study has come about because I have been grieved at some of the man-sponsored fundraising that has permeated the body of Christ. Methods such as these to gain funds are now deemed acceptable – so much so that doing a Google search on church fundraising has shown that this is a lucrative marketing and advertising business. Out of 31 pages of listings, there were only a few sites that were opposed to such tactics. After doing this search, I got discouraged and stopped.
Does fundraising result in God’s glory or man’s glory? Is fundraising a supernatural provision or man’s work? How does fundraising make the Church different from the world? Where is the submission to the Lord and the faith that He will speak to His people to give to that which He wills to be done? If the Lord does not provide, then the work should not be done and we should reevaluate that work to be certain that it is from God, or it may take longer to allow the Lord to prepare for the work to be done. If we truly wish to be biblical in all respects and if we believe that the Bible is our final authority, then we should make sure that we please the Lord on this issue.
Since there are several scriptural examples of funds being gathered or collected for the Lord’s work, why should we go beyond what is written therein? In these examples, it is shown that the Lord moved on the hearts of the people to give willingly and that they did not expect a return or even a “Thank you” for what they gave. No man’s hand was put to it, but the Lord provided so that He may receive the glory. Further, our Lord Himself spoke in Matthew 6:1-4:
1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
As Paul reminded the Corinthian Church (he also reminds us) in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 that:
6 “ …He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
Example 1
The first example of raising funds to do the work of the Lord is found in Exodus 25, 35 & 36. The Lord spoke to Moses to tell the Israelites to give an offering to the Lord. Moses was to take the offering “from every man who gives it willingly and ungrudgingly with his heart” (Exodus 25:1, AMP). The Lord then delineates His requirements for the sanctuary. He tells what items to use, where to put every item, how to use things, and who should use them. The Lord leaves no room for error or confusion. He clearly spoke, and Moses obeyed His command.
In Chapter 35, Moses repeats word-for-word the Lord’s command for an offering for the sanctuary. Again, it was to “whoever is of a willing and generous heart” (verses 4-5, AMP). From verse 20 in this chapter and on to Chapter 36, the Bible tells of those “whose hearts were stirred up and whose spirit made him willing” (v.21, AMP). The people came, giving what they had, both men and women. Verse 29 (AMP) says:
“The Israelites brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all men and women, whose hearts made them willing and moved them to bring anything for any of the work which the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done.”
The people gave so much, that it was “more than enough” (36:5). Moses had to tell them to STOP GIVING!
The work that the Lord ordained would and did come to pass, because the Lord moved on the hearts of men to give. The Lord is Jehovah-Jireh – the Lord our Provider. If God is the Author, then He will finish the work to His satisfaction without us having the need to resort to worldly methodology.
And what did the Israelites receive in return for their giving? Were they promised a specific item or a gift? No. Because it was those who were of a willing heart who gave. They wanted to please the Lord. The Lord takes pleasure in cheerful, willing, and abundant givers (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Example 2
The next example in Scripture of raising money for the work of the Lord occurs in 1 Chronicles 29:1-20. All I can say is, WOW! May the Lord make my own heart so glad to give and to rejoice in the Lord and His provision.
David was an example to the people in giving. Some may say that David was being showy by using his own goods as an example and in giving much – very publicly, too. David’s heart was for the Lord and that his love for the Lord and his desire to build a house for the Lord compelled him to give abundantly. The Lord Himself chose David, “A man after His own heart…to be prince and ruler over His people…” (1 Samuel 13:15, AMP). In instructing his son, Solomon, in ruling as king and in the building of the temple, David tells him to “serve [the Lord] with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts…” (1 Chronicles 29:9, AMP).
David’s heart was for the glory of the Lord, and his giving was due to the abundance that the Lord had given to him. After the people “offered willingly” (v.6) and they “rejoiced because these had given willingly” (v.9), David led the people in praise unto the Lord – for His might and power, for His kingdom, for His exaltation, and for His provision. For David says, “Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all…” (v. 12) and “But who am I, and what are my people, that we should retain strength and be able to offer thus so willingly? For all things come from You, and out of Your own [hand] we have given You” (v.14, AMP).
David acknowledges that nothing they have or have given came from them. The Lord gave materially to them and also gave them a willing heart to give to the work that the Lord ordained.
Other Examples
Other examples for study are:
· King Hezekiah: 2 Chronicles 31:1-10
· Nehemiah: Nehemiah 1-2
· Women with Jesus: Luke 8:1-3
Lastly we will end with Paul’s instructions. Concerning a work that has need of planning and forethought, Paul instructs the Corinthian Church on how to give an abundant gift to the Jerusalem Church. This instruction is one that Paul had given to the Church in Galatia also. 1 Corinthians 16:1- 4 says:
1 “Now concerning the money contributed for [the relief of] the saints (God’s people); you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.
2 On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he has given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.
3 And when I arrive, I will send on those whom you approve and authorize with credentials to carry your gift [of charity] to Jerusalem.
4 If it seems worthwhile that I should go too, they will accompany me.
Paul reminds the Corinthian Church of their promised gift and admonishes them to renew the collection in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. He instructs them to set aside the amount that each one has purposed to give. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul tells the Philippians that the Lord is sufficient to meet his needs and he commends them for their gift because of the “fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]” (v. 17, AMP). He also tells them that “my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (v.19, AMP). Paul himself is an excellent example, along with the other apostles and evangelists, who depended on the Lord (providing through His people) for His supply. There were times where Paul worked, but it was his example in working that helped silenced his critics (false apostles) who tried to slander him (2 Corinthians 11:7-12; Acts 20:34-35).
How great are His riches! The Lord is able “to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). We have to get back to the biblical model and “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22), for “without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
In Conclusion
Where is our faith in the Lord to provide? Not through man-made methods like bake sales, chicken dinner sales or other commerce, but through prayers and fasting and holding on to His Word. It is amazing what we can accomplish in and of ourselves and then give credit to the Lord. But does the Lord give us incentives?
The Lord gives promises, not incentives. The Lord gave a promise regarding giving in Luke 6:38. He said:
“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
This is not spoken for motivational purposes. This is just a simple fact.
I hope you will study and trust the Lord to provide. If any project is truly of the Lord, then He will provide. It will only take a few people to join together to seek the Lord’s face and to pray, fast, and stand in faith that His will be done. Is the work led of the Holy Spirit, or is it just a good work that may be beneficial in some ways? Is it a God-ordained and therefore God-glorifying work? Let us not make the place where we worship an emporium, a place for commerce (John 2:16).
For those who truly belong to the Lord, giving is not a hardship. Let us return to what the bible says about giving and gathering funds for a particular work and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job. Let us leave behind the traditions of men and methods that do not take faith and that exclude the Lord’s supernatural provision where He makes the hearts of His people so willingly and so glad to give.
AMEN!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Outreach vs. Evangelism
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Corinthians 1:17- 19
Outreach. This is an interesting word that is used in the church these days. It’s meaning is very secular, however, where organizations give benefits and services to a particular community – they “reach out” to the people with “things” that should help the lives of those they serve.
So is this the correct word that the church should use? I don’t believe so. The word the church should use is EVANGELISM. The action should be preaching Christ.
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Our brother, Paul, wrote to the Corinthian church with an intensity regarding the focus of the message he preached to them. The message was the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul did not do anything special for the people except give them the words by which they may find life. He did not come with a band, a grill, and bags of giveaways. He went, not in his own strength or his own wisdom, but in the grace and strength of God. Paul simply gave them the gospel.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Why did Paul simply give them the gospel? So their “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Today’s “outreach” wants to give people more than the gospel. Instead of casting out our net (the gospel) and watching the Lord draw men unto Him, we use a fishing pole and “bait” people with free food, music, and gifts. Then, we “hook” them in with an outreach that looks like any other secular offering (you know, Christians can have fun, too). Lastly, we try “reel them in” with a gospel message.
Paul says that he was “determined not to know anything…except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” We, too, should go amongst the people knowing nothing “except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Why? For “Christ is the POWER of God and the WISDOM of God.” We must depend upon the Lord and let go of the extras, being “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” so that God’s power may be shown. We are to evangelize. The mandate is to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. Then they are to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. And so on…
Let us get back to the simplicity that is in Christ. We need to strap on our tennis shoes, grab a bottle of water, put some bibles and some tracks in a backpack, and knock on doors. Discipling is personal and intimate. It is not a person raising a hand or saying a prayer, and then you get a phone number to “follow up.” Discipling is spending as much time as necessary with someone to teach them the way of the Lord and to teach them to look to Christ for everything.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Do away with outreaches and take up evangelism. Preach on the street. Give nothing “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Strip yourself of everything that will “soften up” the audience and put on Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who pricks hearts and the Lord Who draws men. Sure, we can feed people and help people. We should care for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and our brethren in need. But to unbelievers, we must depend on God's word. The best we have to give is Christ.
Outreach. This is an interesting word that is used in the church these days. It’s meaning is very secular, however, where organizations give benefits and services to a particular community – they “reach out” to the people with “things” that should help the lives of those they serve.
So is this the correct word that the church should use? I don’t believe so. The word the church should use is EVANGELISM. The action should be preaching Christ.
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Our brother, Paul, wrote to the Corinthian church with an intensity regarding the focus of the message he preached to them. The message was the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul did not do anything special for the people except give them the words by which they may find life. He did not come with a band, a grill, and bags of giveaways. He went, not in his own strength or his own wisdom, but in the grace and strength of God. Paul simply gave them the gospel.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Why did Paul simply give them the gospel? So their “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Today’s “outreach” wants to give people more than the gospel. Instead of casting out our net (the gospel) and watching the Lord draw men unto Him, we use a fishing pole and “bait” people with free food, music, and gifts. Then, we “hook” them in with an outreach that looks like any other secular offering (you know, Christians can have fun, too). Lastly, we try “reel them in” with a gospel message.
Paul says that he was “determined not to know anything…except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” We, too, should go amongst the people knowing nothing “except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Why? For “Christ is the POWER of God and the WISDOM of God.” We must depend upon the Lord and let go of the extras, being “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” so that God’s power may be shown. We are to evangelize. The mandate is to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. Then they are to go and make disciples, teaching them all that the Lord has commanded, and baptizing them. And so on…
Let us get back to the simplicity that is in Christ. We need to strap on our tennis shoes, grab a bottle of water, put some bibles and some tracks in a backpack, and knock on doors. Discipling is personal and intimate. It is not a person raising a hand or saying a prayer, and then you get a phone number to “follow up.” Discipling is spending as much time as necessary with someone to teach them the way of the Lord and to teach them to look to Christ for everything.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Do away with outreaches and take up evangelism. Preach on the street. Give nothing “except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Strip yourself of everything that will “soften up” the audience and put on Christ. It is the Holy Spirit Who pricks hearts and the Lord Who draws men. Sure, we can feed people and help people. We should care for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and our brethren in need. But to unbelievers, we must depend on God's word. The best we have to give is Christ.
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