Can we speak frankly for a few moments? Conversations between family members are always beneficial when they are conducted with mutual respect and address the problems that we share. So, I want to speak to you from my heart, as I have listened to our elders grapple with the difficult problems we are confronting.
Nobody likes to think about money, unless (of course) we have enough that we don’t have to worry about it. Certainly, the Mountain View church has accomplished great things in the past, but now that the economic downturn has trickled down to the masses, we struggle to hold our own and maintain the status quo.
Part of the problem is that the Mountain View church as always been able to depend on its gainfully employed membership, but many of those who have sacrificed so greatly in the past are now being hit with the effects of declining or fixed income. It is just not right to depend on those who have sacrificed so much, while the rest of us enjoy the benefits of their liberality.
Unfortunately, the reality of our area is that many in San Bernardino – and consequently, our own members – are not "as" gainfully employed as in the past. Although San Bernardino has always been a working man’s town, many of our working men are having to accept lower paying jobs that do not allow much room for liberality.
It is always easy to say, "Well, the older folks have been here longer and have their homes paid for, and don’t have kids around any more; so they need to give more until we can get ourselves situated better." I would ask only, "Why, then, were they the ones who were sacrificing back when their homes were NOT paid for and they were raising their children?" Again, it is just not right to expect our older people to foot the bills.
I want to be brutally honest with you and just admit that I don’t have all the answers. Preachers are well-known for mounting the pulpit with guilt-inducing lessons on sacrifice and liberality, painting grave pictures of economic disaster and visions of eternal perditions for those who do not respond appropriately. But, I ask myself, what good does that do?
Our elders sometimes get irritated with me because I keep telling them to stop worrying about money. Their stock reply is, "We must stop spending money until the Lord sends some our way." Of course, that is wise advice-and especially for those who must give account of their stewardships.
But, I know that God will do what He has promised to do. Our obligation is to do what He has told us to do without turning to the right hand or to the left. He has said He will add the increase in His own good time. The scriptures teach that God will provide and supply for us according to His riches in Christ Jesus. He will multiply our seed for sowing. He said He would do it. But, how does He do it, if not through us?
It’s fine-and wise-to be frugal and sensitive to financial realities, but it is more important to be faithful to God. If that means we must challenge the people of God to put their pocketbooks where their mouths are, then that is just what must be done.
It’s actually quite simple: What God does, is done through us. We are only able to do together what we are individually committed to accomplish. If a task is authorized for the church, then the resources of individuals who are committed to that task are required for us to do it. For years, preachers have tried to convince and cajole people about things these same people already know. Our problem is that we don’t act upon our knowledge.
Too often, somebody will object that something is done that he/she does not like. Then, in an effort to make the point, participation in that work is withheld in the hope that somebody will answer the temper tantrum by ceasing to do what is objected.
I’m reminded of the lady who told W. L. Wharton, the visiting speaker for a gospel meeting at "her" local church, that she didn’t agree with the elders of the church in their decisions, was not about to go along with them, and furthermore, was sending her contributions to an out-of-state church that did what she wanted done. Brother Wharton told her, "Well, I don’t see the problem. You are clearly not a member of this church, for you have no agreement with it, refuse to be under the oversight of her elders and refuse to pool your resources with theirs to do your mutual work!" She may have been incensed at Wharton’s impertinence, but what he told her is true.
This is where we must apply the principles of determining what God has said. Our problem is that we just don’t understand how to determine Bible authority. To alleviate the danger of anarchy--each person demanding his own way--God has appointed that we should have spiritual oversight that is accountable to Him, even as they are amenable to the good-will of the church. That’s why elders must have your respect and submission.
Whether your obligation is defined in terms of the assembling of the saints on the first day of the week, or as the individual purposing of heart that willingly and cheerfully contributes money or other resources to His work, it is the Lord Who is the witness of your response. He knows whether you have acknowledged and acted upon what He has commanded.
Are you present when the saints are assembled? Are you willing to accept a task so that another can be relieved? Are you cheating God by being miserly in your contributions?
When Malachi accused the Jews of his day of robbing God, they could not understand how they had done so. The reply was clear, forceful and frank: "You have robbed God in your tithes and offerings." No ifs, ands, or buts…just plain simple words. They could not understand how they had neglected God’s worship, but Malachi informed them that the blind and lame sacrifices they had given were not even worthy of a political leader. How could they be worthy of God?
Before you purchase your next extravagance, ask yourself how God supplies seed to the sower and bread for food. Ask yourself, how does God provide for and multiply our abilities to do more, help more, share more, preach more, teach more and accomplish more, if He does not do it through that which is brought into the Lord’s storehouse? And, how can He do what He has promised if we neglect His service, withhold His bounty and thwart His purposes?