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GOD HAS SPOKEN (on the
work of the church)
The church of the
Lord, the kingdom of God, exists by the purpose and foreknowledge of
God. He planned its existence its purpose, its organization, and its
work (Eph. 3:8-12). In view of the fact that God determined these
things, those who
profess citizenship in the kingdom should have enough respect for the
Will of God that they refuse to tamper with God's building (1 Cor.
3:9-17). It should not be surprising that institutions of men,
including those that are called churches, are
changed in purpose, organization, beliefs, and work to suit the wishes
of those who are a part of them. We read regularly of church events such
as Easter egg hunts, team sports, church bingo, lock-ins, bake and yard
sales to raise money, various "fests," and other forms of entertainment.
God's people should know better than to do such things, following
the ways of sin and error (Heb. 6:4-10). The work of God's church
does not include entertainment, but rather, evangelism, edification, and
benevolence. Its only authorized means of obtaining revenue to do its
work is freewill offerings and the only specified time of collection is
the first day of the week (Acts 4:34-36; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 8,9).
Where in the New Testament does anyone find the Lord's church
soliciting money from the world to finance the work of the church? Too
many ill-informed babes in Christ want to be like the nations
(churches) around them, and are led to think that God's children
must adopt the ways of the churches of men in order to the successful in
converting the lost.
Our problem is not a lack of instruction from God, but rather is a
failure on our part to apply ourselves to God's plan with diligence and
zeal (2 Tim. 3:16,17; Rev. 3:14-22). Being blessed with
opportunity to study and learn God's truth and to talk to others and
persuade them, we fail to use our blessing, spending our lives rather
upon pleasure and the empty pursuits of carnality. It is high time to
wake up! (Rom. 13:11; 1 Cor. 15:34; Eph. 5:14).
-- Gilbert Alexander
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