Fund Raising (Was: Ken's "woman")

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In a message dated 97-11-24 23:38:11 EST, kdimick@colsa.com writes:

<< Since you mentioned fund raising...
 
 > me:  You forgot to mention fund raising (making 
 > peanut brittle, tacos-in-the-bag, yard sales, bake
 > sales, etc. We will do anything that is not illegal, 
 > immoral or indecent to raise money :-D)
 
 What are some H-F views on this subject.  I find no 
 Biblical precedent to the type of fund raising that 
 is commonly practiced in most Apostolic churches 
 today.  By that I mean, most sell things to raise 
 money for various church projects.>>

Me:

I can remember only once in my life agreeing with a Catholic priest. In a
television interview, he was asked what he thought of the "wonderful"
fund-raiser that was going on ( a casino night at the church), and how much
money it was going to provide for the church. His response shocked the
reporter. He stated that , within the church, it is time to forget this idea
of getting something back when you give. He went on to say that he felt (and
I agree) that the church needs to return to the practice of *sacrificial*
giving. 


Luke 14:12-14
12	Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a
supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy
*rich neighbours*; lest they also bid thee again, and a *recompence be made
thee*.
13	But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the
blind:
14	And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt
be *recompensed at the resurrection of the just*.

This past summer, we had our first young people's car wash. This was
definitely *not* a fund-raising activity. The young people worked busily all
morning, but any working saint who is a true giver, would easily give more
than they received that morning. The point is: we were *not* trying to *raise
funds*... we are trying to *raise young people*. 


You:
 << Or they solicit 
 funds from non-church people.>>

Me:


2 Cor 6:14-18
14	Be ye not unequally yoked together with *unbelievers*: for *what
fellowship* hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness?
15	And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
16	And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17	Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye *separate*, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18	And will be a *Father unto you*, and ye shall be my *sons and daughters*,
saith the Lord Almighty.

Verse 18 tells the story here. A good Father provides for his sons and
daughters. I don't believe that we should teach separation from the
worldly,...but not their money. God will provide. We should never have to
*solicit* funds from anyone, especially "non-church people". I detest seeing
the Lion's , etc., having people standing in the middle of the street,
holding out a can to "receive donations". If they really believe that it is
such a "worthy cause", they ought to stop begging, and start giving (I mean
REALLY giving) out of their own pockets.

Now, if someone willingly offers to make a donation:
Luke 6:38
38	Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall *men give into your bosom*. For with
the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.


You:
  <<What I do see in the 
 scripture are offerings being received <snip> >>

Me:

Exactly. Our church has only existed for 3 years, but we have never "lifted",
"raised", or "taken", an offering. (We've never missed the rent, either). We
*receive* offerings.I personally abhor the "preachers" who will take
"offerings", almost by force. I once heard someone say "God loves a cheerful
giver, but we will take money from any old grouch". But the scripture
actually says, 
2 Cor 9:7
7	Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; *not
grudgingly*, or of *necessity*: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

In fact, the entire 9th chapter of 2 Corinthians is an excellent lesson on
giving.


I know that this got a little off of the subject, but I find it hard to
believe that any church should ever *need* to have a fund-raiser. Either the
saints should learn to dig a little deeper into their own pockets with for a
true sacrifice, or the church should do without (or wait until they can
afford) whatever it is they "want". (Sounds similar to a lesson my earthly
father tried to teach me when I was young). Just try it...the next project
you have, give (not pledge) to support it. Lead by example, get out your
checkbook, and give an offering that you really don't think you can afford to
give. Watch what a good Father does for his children who are truly generous.


As far as fund-raisers go, I believe that they can offer opportunity for
those who have no other means to give (of their time, talents, efforts, etc.)
to help support the ministry. They may also offer the opportunity for
fellowship with one another, and may even be a tool for evangelism. I just
don't think that we should allow them to become a *necessary* part of the
church's financial plan. My wife and I recently used our daughter's *entire*
college fund (she's already a junior in high school) to finance the church
van. It would have taken too many bake sales, etc. to buy a decent van, and a
lot of the saints don't own cars. 

I once heard a bishop say, "If the church is not receiving enough money from
the people you have, you don't need to get more money from the same people
(assuming that they are paying tithes and giving offerings). You need to get
*more people*."  Hmmmmmmm...


Pastor (time to put our money where our mouth is) Joe