Why Don't Members of the Church of Christ have Yard Sales, Car Washes, Cookie Bakes, etc., to Raise Money for the Church and Its Works?
Categories: Bible Questions and AnswersDear Preacher Files,
I was hoping someone could give some scripture and some in depth explanation why members of the Church of Christ dont have yard sales,car washes,cookie bakes etc. to raise money for the Church and its works. I am a member of the Church and do not feel like that those types of activities are apart of worship,but I would like to be a little more knowledged in why this is what the Lord wants us to do. Can someone please reply back. I would appreciate it a great deal. I love your site and have done lots of studying on this site. Keep up the good work!
Thanks and God Bless
I’m deeply grateful to God that The Preacher’s Files has been useful to you. Thank you for saying so.
Your question relates to a very basic principle that a lot of people miss in today’s religious climate, that is, that we may do only those things that we are authorized to do. You might ask the question, “Why do we take up a free-will offering on the first day of the week to raise money for the church and its works?” The answer is that that’s the Bible plan (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6). Note these passages that teach this principle:
1 Cor. 4:6
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. (italics provided by KJV)
Notice in your King James text that the words “of men” are italicized. This indicates that they were added by the translators to smooth out the translation. The words are not found in the underlying Greek text. Knowing this now makes Paul to say that we are not to “think … above that which is written.” Now, applying that to our question we can see that if we fail to find Bible authority for yard sales, car washes and cooking bakes to raise money for the work of the church we are forbidden to do so because it would cause us to “think … above that which is written.” The American Standard Version of 1901 serves to confirm what we are reading from this passage in the KJV. The translation of the ASV warns that we are to “learn not to go beyond the things which are written.”
1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Peter teaches that God is glorified two ways:
- When we speak as the oracles (or utterances) of God.
- When we serve according to our God-given ability.
The very minute someone proposes a yard sale, car wash or cookie bake to raise money for the work of the church this passage is violated. The proposer has failed to speak as the oracles of God.
Colossians 3:17
And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Can I hold a car wash “in the name of the Lord Jesus?” Doing so without His authority would be meaningless, just lip service. But, if we understand His authority (Matt. 28:18) and that “in the name of” carries the idea of “by the authority of” the passage comes into focus. To do a thing in the name of another without that one’s consent is a farce at best and criminal at worst. Jesus has not authorized yard sales, car washes or cookie bakes to raise money for the work of the church. To proceed with these plans violates this passage.
Much more could be said on this. Feel free to search through the forum and start a thread if you can’t find what you’re looking for.