Newsletter Vol.3, #10—April 1, 2007

Matthew 10 ²⁵It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. ²⁶So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Should Churches Worship Money?

Jerry Blount (slightly revised by Larry A Bunch)

We cannot claim to believe in Jesus if we do not also believe in what He said. At Caprock… We believe Him!

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)

Did you ever begin wondering if "going to church" was about raising money? In some churches there is a constant drive for the raising of money. We have a collection for this project. We have a collection for the missionaries in some far away land. We have a collection for the missionaries in some other far away land.

Once in Florida a preacher was studying with a neighbor who asked him about their attitude toward money. It seemed like a strange question. Well, come to find out, he had gone to church with his wife. . . (he considered himself an unbeliever). During the service they had taken up a collection for the building fund. To make a long story short, they didn't get enough money. The preacher ordered the doors to be locked, with the admonition that "no one is to leave the room!" They passed the plate a total of three times. If you finally make it through all the contributions then they start up with the fundraisers. They have garage sales, auctions, cookies, donuts, chili feeds etc. The irony is that the bigger the church… normally the more they beg for money.

Am I missing something? Didn't Jesus tell Peter that He would build the church on the fact that He (Jesus) was the Son of God? Jesus really didn't seem all that excited about building earthly monuments did He? In fact, the one man most concerned about the money in Jesus' group was Judas!

Jesus (through the Apostle Paul) did make provisions for a contribution. "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come." (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

Notice that the purpose of this collection was "so that no collections will be made when I come." Obviously the point is do this and be done with it! Just as obviously, Paul pointedly, not only limited the collection to a single weekly collection, but limited it to one day. Jesus became very upset when the Jews turned the worship of God into a giant sale-a-thon! "Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He {began} to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a robbers' den." The chief priests and the scribes heard {this,} and {began} seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching." Mark 11:15-18

Do you suppose He would be pleased with all the merchandise being carried through the churches today?

Does it astonish you that there is still a group of people who believe in Jesus strongly enough to trust Him? Jesus' teaching has always been an astonishment to "the whole crowd." At Caprock, you'll never be called on to "tithe" (an Old Testament practice). You'll never be asked to buy anything. If you're visiting, you'll not be expected to contribute. You'll not hear impassioned pleas for money. Yes, we'll pass the plate on the Lord's day … Once! We follow the example of New Testament Christians, "but they first gave themselves to the Lord" (2 Corinthians 8:5) We believe we should share the attitude of the Apostles, "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all {people} life and breath and all things." (Acts 17:24-15)

We are more interested in you than your money…

We believe that's the way God wants it!

We believe that the purpose of our gathering is to worship God!

Isn't that why you've come?

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; 1 Peter 4:11

Adapted from an article by Jerry Blount

Does your church charge admission?

Liberalism runs amuck! by Jerry Blount

The Northside church of Christ, here in Wichita, Ks has just sent out an invitation to the 1^st Annual Women’s Conference. The catch? It will cost you $35 to hear the word of God as it relates to women. Now you can still get in to the “traditional” male led service on Sunday for free… but the women only service is $35. They asked us to spread the word…

If you go to their website www.womenwalkingwithgod.org you will find that “$35 per person now through March 31^st $40 per person in April”

Now please compare this attitude with James 2:3-4 ~ and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

Those of you familiar with the liberal churches in Wichita know that pretty much anything goes. The Bible doesn’t seem to get in their way…

I have briefly corresponded with one of the ladies sending out these invitations and asked directly, “Can you find even once in scripture where the Apostles charged someone an entry fee for the teaching of the gospel? Can you find anything even close?”

Actually this mindset does come up in scripture in at least three instances.

Our first example is the story of Gehazi (II Kings 5). Actually you likely know it as the story of Naaman and Elisha. After Naaman dipped in the Jordan 7 times he was cleansed of his leprosy. Naaman then returned to Elisha and aggressively wished to pay for the benefits he had received. “15. When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.” 16. But he said, “As the lord lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take {it,} but he refused.”

However this is not the end of the story… Gehazi waited till Elisha wasn’t looking (or at least Gehazi thought Elisha wasn’t looking) and chased Naaman down and asked for the money. He asked for it in Elisha’s name even though Elisha wouldn’t allow such behavior.

 Northside is charging admission asking for this money, even from outsiders even though Jesus wouldn’t allow such behavior. Do you remember the outcome in the story of Gehazi? Gehazi was cursed by God!

Our second example is Jesus’ cleansing of the temple. I have attached an article entitled Should Churches Worship Money. This article details Jesus reaction to the temple authorities capturing access to God and charging whatever they could get away with in order to enter, worship and learn. Jesus was infuriated.

The denominations love to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Then they seem to do the opposite!

 Our third example is Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8). Simon saw that the Apostles laid hands on folks and passed on the Holy Spirit. Simon thought now this could be profitable, and surely it was for sale… 18. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19. saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20. But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21. “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

 Unlike the prophet Elisha in the Old Testament, Jesus in the Temple, or even the apostles in the book of Acts, The Northside Church of Christ is selling the word of God at a premium. They have taken a portion of scripture that is desperately needed (and greatly desirable), then started selling it.

Tickets are merchandised with the warning… in April it will be $40.

Does your church charge admission?

Jesus’ church does not and will not!

If Peter cursed Simon (Acts 8:20)

Because he “thought he could obtain the gift of God with money”

What will God do to the elders and their followers who try to sell the gift of God for money?

Part two…

Liberalism’s bait and switch.

Have you noticed that most liberals claim to be conservative? A few of the Episcopals will admit they are liberal and are proud of it. Most however swear they are conservative then practice bait and switch.

Let’s take the Northside invitation as a chance to look closely at how they do just that. Let’s also note how their leaders have failed their flock. Most sit there in the pews with no clue as to how they have been led away from the truth.

Let’s go to their website and see this bait and switch in action. . .

Northside has a page entitled “What to Expect When You Visit.” http://www.northsidecoc.org/what.htm Let’s examine this page and see if what we are to expect is really what we should expect! A prominent claim is …

No book but the Bible,
No creed but the Christ;
No name but the Divine,
No plea but the Gospel.
No aim but to Save.

In the list above, they left out the checkbook! This worship service has a price of admission. For the record the sales pitch for this event includes, “Please invite your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and join together in praise, laughter, and serious Bible study!” And again, “And remember, this is an evangelistic event, so invite your non-church friends and family too!”

Let there be no mistake here, they are charging

non-Christians to come and be taught the gospel!

Perhaps once upon a time, the claims above (No plea but the gospel etc.) meant something… but not today. As noted above, yesterday I emailed back to them… “Can you find even once in scripture where the Apostles charged someone an entry fee for the teaching of the gospel? Can you find anything even close?”

I am well aware that the liberal churches all over the country have followed the example of the Jews and started draining the money out their members with only the slightest provocation. But the question remains… find me a passage that is even a second cousin to this behavior!

Rather than explain, the normal response is….

“The building is only sticks and stones, a place to utilize as the elders best see fit.” How many times in history have people tried to hide their responsibility behind their leaders?

Note that 30 years ago when the churches were building restaurants in them the argument was “It is only a building.” Today that argument has matured to the elders can do anything they want to with it. . . Including selling tickets to enter it or selling anything else. Some day we’ll be selling lottery tickets!

Let’s move on. We come to a section entitled “Our Worship Is Simple and Devout”

In this section is the claim, “Our worship consists only of those elements which the New Testament reveals as having been used as worship by the church in the days of the Apostles. We sing and pray, partake of the Lord's supper, have the Word of God preached for our instruction, and give of our means for the spreading of the Gospel and caring for the poor.”

Really! Where is the charging an entry fee? Selling tickets? You can find the giving of your means in your Bible (I Corinthians 16:1ff). You will not find either the admission fees (Like the Jewish temple fees) in your New Testament.

Does your church charge admission or sell things?

Jesus’ church does not! Jesus forbids such!

Let’s move on. We come to a section entitled “Our Authority Is The Bible Alone”

In this section is the claim, “Our source of authority is that which is found only in the inspired Scripture. Therefore, we seek to be governed in all that we do by God's Holy Word. Since the Scriptures are sufficient for our every need (2 Timothy 3:16-17), our preaching and teaching contains only that which is commanded in the Bible.”

Really! Where is the charging an entry fee? Selling tickets? You can find the giving of your means in your Bible (I Corinthians 16:1ff). You will not find either the admission fees (like the Jewish temple fees) or selling tickets to the gospel in your New Testament.

Does your church charge admission or sell things?

Jesus’ church does not! Jesus forbids such!

Yep! This is a repeat of the response in the last section. Bait and switch again!

Let’s move on. We come to a section entitled “Our People Are Christians Only”

In this section is the claim, “The division in the religious world today is far different from the unity enjoyed by the early Christians, before traditionalism and distinctive names divided them. Believing such division to be contrary to the Scriptures, we have no denominational organization or name, doctrine or creed. Following the teachings of Christ and his apostles, individually we are known as Christians, collectively as a Church of Christ.”

Really! Are you really following the teaching of Christ and his apostles? Are you really trying to accomplish the unity enjoyed by early Christians? Paul forbid you to shame the poor (I Corinthians 11:22). What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.” I know, I know “it’s just a building!”

James forbade you to shame the poor. Jesus would not even allow them to carry merchandise through the temple. But, why then, are you following the lead of the world? Again I must ask, where is the charging an entry fee? Selling tickets? You can find the giving of your means in your Bible (I Corinthians 16:1ff). You will not find the admission fees (like the Jewish temple fees) in your New Testament.

Does your church charge admission or sell things?

Jesus’ church does not! Jesus forbids such!

Yep! This is a repeat of the response in the last section. Bait and switch again!

Let’s move on. We come to a section entitled “You Will Never Be Embarrassed”

Well, I’m embarrassed and I don’t even attend there! You have a sign out there that identifies this as a church of Christ. That was supposed to mean we are different and we don’t follow the ways of the world. It once did, not today.

In this section we find the claim, “You visit us as a welcome and respected guest.” Really! And what if we show up without a ticket? In this section we also find the claim, “You will not be singled out in any way.” Really! If you show up without a March ticket you will be charged an extra $5! An April ticket or a walk in is $5 more that a March ticket.

Let’s move on. We come to a section entitled “You Will Find a Friendly Spirit”

In this section we find the claim, “We believe that friendliness is a natural attitude among people who truly love God, so we strive to make sure our visitors receive a warm welcome. We hope you will accept our invitation to meet with us again. It will be our pleasure to have you and we sincerely believe you will benefit by coming.”

Really! If you pay $35? Or $40 if you show up late? The cashiers at the grocery stores greet you with a friendly spirit! These ladies are very friendly… but is this a result of Christianity?

Does your church charge admission or sell things?

Jesus’ church does not! Jesus forbids this behavior!

Yep! This is a repeat of the response in the last section. Bait and switch again!

Consider the fact that liberalism’s bait and switch is nothing new. “Promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.” II Peter 2:19-21

Today, if you are a woman who is wanting to know her place in God’s creation… and she tries to find it through one the liberal churches it will cost her $35 to find out . . . But! Only if she acts now! If she waits to pay at the door it will cost $40!

Now let’s consider the obvious question…

Does all this really matter?

Well, If Peter cursed Simon (Acts 8:20)

Because he “thought he could obtain the gift of God with money”. . .

What will God do with both these elders and their followers who

try to sell the gift of God for money?

 My advice is to Run!

 Ps. We don’t charge admission! If you visit, you won’t even be asked to contribute.

Jerry Blount ~ Www.letjesusleadus.org