"But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet
closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?"1
Such is a trustworthy saying to live by, especially when we look at what is called the church, today. It asks for much sacrifice, especially money, but what happens when you need help, are you now found to be expendable for the kingdom of God? The lack of empathy, and benevolence toward a brother is a good sign that the love of God is not in an organization. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."2 A godly sign of love is empathy, and benevolence toward a brother.
There was a man who lost his job, he was struggling to pay his utility bill, and a charity organization offered to help. He had pleaded with the utilities company for a few days extra but they shut his power off anyways. He owed $111 but had a $300 deposit on hand with them, they took the charity money for the utility bill and made him pay $151 in fees. Such is a perverse world we live in, profiting off those who are poor and struggling, placing heavy burdens on their shoulders. The Bible says cursed is the person who dishonors the poor, yes, we live in a cursed world, but do we see the same mentality in the Church?
The American Church sends millions to aid in disaster relief, in the next city, or state, or country, surely these are good things but to do so and then turn its heart away from the disaster within its own house, making exuces you didn't manage your money... such is a tragedy. Why would they do such, for the glory of men? The man who has lost his job and needs benevolence, not the man off the street, but one who has faithfully tithed in the church, he is turned away, he has become expendable in the pursuit of what? Sacrifice for Jesus he was told, tithe so he can reach the lost, spread the gospel... millions go into new building projects, signs proclaiming the ministry of so and so. And it is, their ministry, lords and peasants, wealthy and poor, they are at the top and benefit the most living off the tithing of the people. It is a great tragedy that such a mindset has become acceptable in the Church. Many are in seminary school today, but I question is such about the Church, the body of Christ, the children of God? Great personal gain is obtainable within the American Church.
There was a man who made over $100 a hour as a consultant for well known companies, he came to Christ a few years ago. He believed God was calling him into ministry, so he went to someone at his Church for help. Sitting down with a man, pouring out his heart, this man gets a text then interrupts him, oh I have to go get my car from the shop. He then tells the man he needs to go back to work, everyone is knocking down their doors wanting to be ministers he implied, then he left to go get his car in the middle of the afternoon. It is an amazing thing, without prayer, discernment, that he would interrupt this man seeking to know his purpose and will of God in his life for a car. This is the state of the church I see, the lack of empathy, the love of God, not godly discernment based upon faith.
The consultant applied for benevolence he thought it would be a good time to, he had spoken with his church about being a missionary and a minister he knew was getting assistance while he too was moving forward in a ministry. He got assistance of a few hundred dollars but then they added all these rules, and like the utilities companies their actions are questionable, using rules that seem just to eliminate helping people. The fact he had tithed over $20,000, these things were never considered and then they shamed him for expecting help back, it is better to give than receive... But these men who shame him, live off the tithing? And nicely so, they drive the best cars, live in the best homes... and then turn away others asking for little, shaming them, how dare you ask, taking from God's money. They have justified separating benevolence from tithing, more-so I think to justify not helping people, there is no scriptural evidence to do so.
Then there is the disabled man who asked for assistance with emergency tooth surgery, he lived off $600 in disability and could not pay the bill. They would not help him, telling him he did not manage his money well. He had to go a month in severe pain until he could get the money. In a conversation with a pastor from the same church, about another person who had left the church over benevolence, this pastor boasted of getting thousands in free dental work. And these pastors go on trips to the Holy Land paid for by the people, and ski trips called mission trips. How can such be? The consultant was asking for $300 in assistance a month and a chance to do mission work. They would not help him, telling him to go work at a fast food place or something. Now, I ask, who does this benefit? As an consultant he would make more tithing in a week than working at a fast food place in a year. They would go against God's will for him to be a minister? So we see they were not considerate of him, a sign of self-esteem, an ungodly characteristic. They justify not helping others saying they are saving a few hundred dollars, but they do not seek that which is beneficial to the Kingdom of God, but their own interests.
The business man whose business was struggling who had given hundreds of thousands into ministries, some for services that did not help him in any practical way. These take but do not give back. His church at the time was buying a service that he could have benefited from, especially in his need, but they did not even consider him. Considerate of the things of others, esteeming others highly, such are godly characteristics. But here we are, they are accused of being part of the problem, but there can be no solution without recognition of a problem. Condemned for even questioning. Such is like the Titanic headed for an iceberg, how many more lives must be sacrificed for change? God disciplines those he loves but when we refuse to listen, what else can He do? Will you intercede, will you stand in the gap for such a Church? When those who do become weary and worn, judgment will surely come.
Worn
Such is a trustworthy saying to live by, especially when we look at what is called the church, today. It asks for much sacrifice, especially money, but what happens when you need help, are you now found to be expendable for the kingdom of God? The lack of empathy, and benevolence toward a brother is a good sign that the love of God is not in an organization. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."2 A godly sign of love is empathy, and benevolence toward a brother.
There was a man who lost his job, he was struggling to pay his utility bill, and a charity organization offered to help. He had pleaded with the utilities company for a few days extra but they shut his power off anyways. He owed $111 but had a $300 deposit on hand with them, they took the charity money for the utility bill and made him pay $151 in fees. Such is a perverse world we live in, profiting off those who are poor and struggling, placing heavy burdens on their shoulders. The Bible says cursed is the person who dishonors the poor, yes, we live in a cursed world, but do we see the same mentality in the Church?
The American Church sends millions to aid in disaster relief, in the next city, or state, or country, surely these are good things but to do so and then turn its heart away from the disaster within its own house, making exuces you didn't manage your money... such is a tragedy. Why would they do such, for the glory of men? The man who has lost his job and needs benevolence, not the man off the street, but one who has faithfully tithed in the church, he is turned away, he has become expendable in the pursuit of what? Sacrifice for Jesus he was told, tithe so he can reach the lost, spread the gospel... millions go into new building projects, signs proclaiming the ministry of so and so. And it is, their ministry, lords and peasants, wealthy and poor, they are at the top and benefit the most living off the tithing of the people. It is a great tragedy that such a mindset has become acceptable in the Church. Many are in seminary school today, but I question is such about the Church, the body of Christ, the children of God? Great personal gain is obtainable within the American Church.
There was a man who made over $100 a hour as a consultant for well known companies, he came to Christ a few years ago. He believed God was calling him into ministry, so he went to someone at his Church for help. Sitting down with a man, pouring out his heart, this man gets a text then interrupts him, oh I have to go get my car from the shop. He then tells the man he needs to go back to work, everyone is knocking down their doors wanting to be ministers he implied, then he left to go get his car in the middle of the afternoon. It is an amazing thing, without prayer, discernment, that he would interrupt this man seeking to know his purpose and will of God in his life for a car. This is the state of the church I see, the lack of empathy, the love of God, not godly discernment based upon faith.
The consultant applied for benevolence he thought it would be a good time to, he had spoken with his church about being a missionary and a minister he knew was getting assistance while he too was moving forward in a ministry. He got assistance of a few hundred dollars but then they added all these rules, and like the utilities companies their actions are questionable, using rules that seem just to eliminate helping people. The fact he had tithed over $20,000, these things were never considered and then they shamed him for expecting help back, it is better to give than receive... But these men who shame him, live off the tithing? And nicely so, they drive the best cars, live in the best homes... and then turn away others asking for little, shaming them, how dare you ask, taking from God's money. They have justified separating benevolence from tithing, more-so I think to justify not helping people, there is no scriptural evidence to do so.
Then there is the disabled man who asked for assistance with emergency tooth surgery, he lived off $600 in disability and could not pay the bill. They would not help him, telling him he did not manage his money well. He had to go a month in severe pain until he could get the money. In a conversation with a pastor from the same church, about another person who had left the church over benevolence, this pastor boasted of getting thousands in free dental work. And these pastors go on trips to the Holy Land paid for by the people, and ski trips called mission trips. How can such be? The consultant was asking for $300 in assistance a month and a chance to do mission work. They would not help him, telling him to go work at a fast food place or something. Now, I ask, who does this benefit? As an consultant he would make more tithing in a week than working at a fast food place in a year. They would go against God's will for him to be a minister? So we see they were not considerate of him, a sign of self-esteem, an ungodly characteristic. They justify not helping others saying they are saving a few hundred dollars, but they do not seek that which is beneficial to the Kingdom of God, but their own interests.
The business man whose business was struggling who had given hundreds of thousands into ministries, some for services that did not help him in any practical way. These take but do not give back. His church at the time was buying a service that he could have benefited from, especially in his need, but they did not even consider him. Considerate of the things of others, esteeming others highly, such are godly characteristics. But here we are, they are accused of being part of the problem, but there can be no solution without recognition of a problem. Condemned for even questioning. Such is like the Titanic headed for an iceberg, how many more lives must be sacrificed for change? God disciplines those he loves but when we refuse to listen, what else can He do? Will you intercede, will you stand in the gap for such a Church? When those who do become weary and worn, judgment will surely come.
Worn