Beyond Christianity

"And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us" Luke 9:49-50.

I usually do not attack ministries. I leave them alone. But I do talk about their methods. One method I find alarming is selling merchandise and calling it a gift to the ministry. I can see someone buying things they need but to give the purchaser a false sense that they are helping a ministry in the name of God is not right. The only ministry they are helping is one that offers more products for more gifts.

What if I want to give a dollar? Can I still get the gift that they offer? No, many ministries specify the gift they want by telling you the exact amount. Can you imagine how rich Jesus could have been if He offered holy articles for a specific price. Jesus taught that it wasn't the size of the gift that matters but how much it hurts when you give it.

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" Mark 12:41-44.

Personally, I will not give to a ministry that specifies the gift amount. It is unscriptural and caters to the rich.

Another method I find alarming are ministries that use students for their free work force. I think going to school is a noble thing. Who doesn't need more education? However, when a school uses their poor students to do work in their ministries, the students should be paid. I believe in hands on experience but if the work is being done to build up the ministry and bring money into their coffers then their students ought to be paid for doing the work.

Can you believe that students who pay for tuition, room and board at their favorite Christian ministry or school must also give away free labor? It is like a slave labor camp in some of these ministries.

"For the labourer is worthy of his hire" Luke 10:7.

"The labourer is worthy of his reward" 1 Timothy 5:18.

"Workman is worthy of his meat" Matthew 10:10.

I believe many who go to Church ought to pay at least a tithe of their income. It takes money to run a Church. However, many today do not go to Church. They have chosen to go it alone in the Christian community. They are not bad people; they are just homeless Church goers that do not feel comfortable about the business aspect of their local Church or some doctrinal issue that prevents them from attending. Whatever the reason they are still subject to the "Great Commission."

Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" Matthew 28:19

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15.

It is alright that you do not want to work with others, so then you must work alone. You must continue your ministry with or without help. God has called you for a specific ministry that you alone can do. You must be willing to preach and teach by using your own funds. If you don't know what to do then continue with my blogs on this site and you'll learn how to go fishing for men.  

"And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men" Mark 1:17.