Depending upon which side of the political aisle you sit either you hate the idea of wealth redistribution or you love it. Fortunately we are not dealing with governmental politics but with church ethics and responsibility. As a pastor I would often hear the words, "Where there is a vision God makes a provision." If the church was struggling financially then either the vision was wrong or you were outside of the will of God. Either way, you the pastor, were doing something wrong. What if a struggling church is not doing anything wrong but rather they are inside the will of God and having to depend on others in the Body to supply the need? Maybe the problem is not the church that is struggling but churches and denominations that are not stewarding the resources of God biblically. This a thought provoking proposition and one that could cause some controversy in many circles. But far too many churches and ministries that are in the will of God, doing the work, are struggling to keep the doors open while others are hoarding money in savings, sitting on massive assets, acting as if the money is theirs and not God's.
There are some pastors and leaders who have a kingdom mentality and understand the biblical model that was set before us in the early church. In Greensboro a church took up an offering for another, larger church that was in need. In areas like Detroit, Fort Worth, and Little Rock there are stories of churches collaborating together for the good of the community, going far beyond the four walls and denominational boundaries. These are examples of the church being the church. Even though I pastored a church that struggled financially, the leadership understood the need to bless other ministries in our community each month and to consistently give to ministries that had a similar mindset. On occasion we would receive a phone call thanking us or asking why we would give to another church but those calls were rare. Our purpose in giving was to be sowing into ministries that were kingdom minded. At the same time we honored our denominational obligations and supported missionaries. The attitude of the leadership was to honor the LORD and to sow into His kingdom, it was never for the recognition of men or to reap our own rewards.
There are many New Testament scriptures to support the idea that churches are to be sharing their wealth and supporting those in need. In Acts 11:28-30, the prophets prophesied that there would be a famine in the land and each disciple responded by giving to those in need as they were able. (It is interesting to note that it was disciples providing support and not those sitting on the sidelines.) Paul exhorted the church in Rome to, "Share with God's people who are in need." (Rom 12:13 NIV) As Paul writes to the church in Rome he says that he is on the way to Jerusalem carrying an offering from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia for the "poor among the saints in Jerusalem." These churches were pleased to give an offering to their brothers and sisters in Christ who had a need. (Rom 15:25-27 NIV) There are several other exhortations to help those in need; 1Cor 16, Gal 2:10, 1John 3:17, James, and the very words of Jesus, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matt 25:40 NIV) Finally, Paul penned these words of instruction to the church, "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." (2Cor 8-15 NIV)
The church in America is great at responding to disasters that may strike a community. They are generous with their time and resources. For any of us that have had the blessing of serving in a relief role following a disaster we have seen the kingdom of heaven kissing the earth as we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Yet, every day a church will close it's doors because it did not have the financial resources to minister to the needs of those in their community. These are disasters in the making because lives hang in the balance and it could be that this church or ministry is the only one able to meet the need. These disasters could be avoided if we would follow the model set before in the New Testament. We should consider the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. One day each church leader will be held accountable for the financial resources for which they were responsible. How will we respond to the King when He asks how did you steward the money I left in your care? Will we hear the words, "well done, good and faithful servant! or "...throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt 25:21, 30 NIV) The choice is ours. Let us pray that no more ministries in the will of God be shuttered because of an unbiblical view of sharing the wealth or disobedience to the exhortation of scripture.
Note-after writing this I thought there might be some who would argue that if we were in the will of God then the finances would be available because God's plan can never be stopped. I agree with this position but what if God's is speaking to a heart and that heart is in disobedience? Just a thought.
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