Volume  3    Issue   14  February 9th 2003

A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ

Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417 (home/office)

Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
 

Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
 

Check out the web site:

http://www.wordsoftruth.net

    Many congregations realize that the only scriptural way to raise funds is through a collection from the saints (I Corinthians 16:1-2).  However, many congregations have a problem with what they do with the money that is collected.  For example; some congregations feel that as long as there is “money in the bank” that this gives them freedom to spend that money on almost anything.  Some congregations build tremendous meeting places for only a few saints.  Some congregations do such things as pay tremendous gas and electric bills so that they can be overly comfortable.  What many brethren fail to realize is that the money collected is the Lord’s money and we are just stewards [managers] of that money.

    In addressing Ananias, Peter made a very valid point.  He pointed out that while Ananias had the money he promised to God, it was his own to do what he wanted with it.  However, when commitment was made and that money was promised to God it was no longer his own.  (Acts 5:4) “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”  When Paul told the church at Corinth to take up a collection for needy saints in Jerusalem, he also told them to appoint someone, by way of a letter, to bring this money to Jerusalem (I Corinthians 16:1-3).  The reason for this is because the church at Corinth had to oversee the spending of the Lord’s money that was in their care.  They had to be good stewards of God’s money.

    Being good stewards of God’s money is a common sense issue.  When we take our funds to a bank we expect our money to be safe.  When we invest that money we expect it to earn interest.  When we use the Lord’s money it should be to fulfill the work the Lord has given to the church.  It should be spent on evangelism (I Thessalonians 1:7-8).  Approved ways to do this are in doing things such as supporting sound preachers of the Gospel of Christ (I Corinthians 9:14, II Corinthians 11:8, and Philippians 4:14-16).  The local church is to use the Lord’s money to care for needy saints (Romans 15:25-26, II Corinthians 8:4, II Corinthians 9:12-14, and I Timothy 5:3-16).  The local church can spend funds on those things which are expedient to carry out works God has approved.  But, in so doing, we must be wise in how we spend those funds.  The local church is to assemble in one place (Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11:20, I Corinthians 14:23, and Hebrews 10:23-25), but that does not mean the church needs to spend $2,000,000.00 on an elaborate facility for 30 saints to assemble in.  This principle is simply understood by looking at an example of a married couple with two children and a very modest income.  This married couple would not build a 20 bedroom home.  That would be a waste of money.  Why can we understand wise spending out of our own pockets, but we do not apply that principle with the Lord’s money?  We must not abuse money that is not ours.  It is the Lord’s and He has told us how to spend it!

    When there are many sound Gospel preachers in this country and abroad that are living on such modest incomes, the church does not need to look for other ways to spend God’s money for there are genuine needs to be met.  Ways that are approved of in the New Testament.  While we sit in buildings and complain that it is a little chilly, let’s be thankful we are not meeting outdoors.  Let us dress warmer, bring a throw blanket, or some other way to solve our seemingly tedious problems.  When we look at our modest meeting facility and think of how nice it would be for it to be bigger, to have a parking lot, and to meet the current cultural demands; let’s think of those in the first century and even today in foreign lands who meet outdoors, in tents, or in shacks.  Some argue that the buildings we assemble in either attract prospects or turn them away.  Let’s remember that buildings are not what should draw folks to Christ, the Gospel is what should do the converting (Romans 1:16)!  We need to be good stewards of God’s money in all ways.  It is not ours to spend for means of comfort, but His to spend for saving souls and helping saints in need.

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s who has been diagnosed with Cancer), Nancy Green (Barb’s cousin who has cancer), Steve Burgoon as he recovers from his surgery, and Joan Croyle who has been struggling with her health.

Ladies Class:
The ladies are meeting for a Bible Study at 2:00 today in Kim L. home.