Would your church turn down a donation from an unbeliever? John's church did. They accepted nothing from the pagans. Would your church refuse to take a collection even from believers under certain circumstances? Paul boasted to the Corinthians that he offered the gospel free of charge (1 Cor 9:18).
In modern churches, we're accustomed to raise funds in any way and from anybody. Because of our unbiblical approach to church finances, we project to unbelievers the image of beggars. It appears to them that God's children are always needy and our Father isn't much of a provider. We need to act like royal children who are free to turn down donations and refrain from collections.
Much of the time, the Lord will provide through our own Church family. "We owe it to such men to support them and thus to have our share in the work of truth" (3 Jn 8). Other times God will not even use the Church, but will rain down manna from heaven or multiply the loaves and fishes.
We are royal children. Let's act like it and believe it. "But when the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:8)
| PRAYER: | Father, may I have the freedom and faith to turn down monetary contributions on some occasions. |
| PROMISE: | Jesus "told them a parable on the necessity of praying always and not losing heart." –Lk 18:1 |
| PRAISE: | Undaunted by age or weariness, St. Rose founded a school for Indian children at the age of seventy-one. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College