John 13-17

[evenifigoalone]

Okay, so this was something the pastor at my old church used to talk about in his sermons practically constantly--
Based on this Scripture, he'd criticize churches for doing things to raise money. Personally, constantly criticizing other churches without knowing the whole story didn't, and probably still doesn't, sit well with me, whether I thought he was right or not. :gah
Among the things he mentioned were churches doing car washes, dinners, etc. At my current church, we in the youth group will be helping another church out with their fundraiser carwash--to help them raise money for their youth group to go to camp this summer.
But, sometimes fundraisers aren't done directly for the church fund...it can also be done for charity, etc.

Anyways, what are your thoughts on this Scripture? (And of course the other accounts of it in the other Gospels, too?) Is it wrong for a church to do any sort of fundraising? Does it maybe depend upon the motives and what the money will be used for? Is it okay as long as the fundraising is done off of church property? ("And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."~John 2:16 KJV)

It personally sounds to me like people there were people who came and decided to make individual profit by selling animals for sacrifice in the temple. So, is this really a good comparison to churches raising money for necessary funds or for something that has nothing to do with personal gain?

 

[George Muller]

Temple power, I believe, is the issue? Temple power is that which stands between man and God. For a man to present himself as a needed way to God, and then take advantage of others in that position is that which Christ is coming against.
We see that as we draw near to the end, more and more false teachers will present a temple and "certain men" as that which is needed before other men can reach God. Heb. comes against this whole false system.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I think to make the issue about some young folks washing cars to raise money, is to miss the importance of what the temple represented and why these men committed such a great sin in the eyes of the Lord. Having said that I do not like things in the church that work just to keep folks busy, but the Spirit and focus upon the Lord should be the center of all these things.

 

[Destructus86]

Fact is....he's wrong on so many levels and probably shouldn't be a leader. Bashing other churches without knowing the whole story is one of the biggest problems in Christianity right now...and by that I mean ASSUMPTION.

Money is how things operate in our culture...without money the church can't do the work it needs to do and do it well. No money, no outreach beyond your own walls.

So yeah...he's very wrong.

Also, you're right. That scripture has nothing to do with fund raising. It was speaking in regards to what Jesus experience when he saw vendors selling things in the temple. "Don't forget to go to the church store and buy your very own Jesus coffee mug and bobble head!" That sort of thing. It has nothing to do with raising funds for outreach.

 

[farouk]

questdriven:

I'm very cautious about the whole area of fund raising.

It the Lord is in a particular project, for example, and His people are praying consistently and fervently and in dependence on Him, then He will provide if it is His will.

But, then, also, I've been grateful for young people from a church who washed my car!

Blessings.

 

[Destructus86]

questdriven:

I'm very cautious about the whole area of fund raising.

It the Lord is in a particular project, for example, and His people are praying consistently and fervently and in dependence on Him, then He will provide if it is His will.

But, then, also, I've been grateful for young people from a church who washed my car!

Blessings.

Imagine what Christianity would have turned out like if the disciples had just sat around praying for everything rather then getting up and actually DOING.....

 

[farouk]

questdriven:

I'm very cautious about the whole area of fund raising.

It the Lord is in a particular project, for example, and His people are praying consistently and fervently and in dependence on Him, then He will provide if it is His will.

But, then, also, I've been grateful for young people from a church who washed my car!

Blessings.

Imagine what Christianity would have turned out like if the disciples had just sat around praying for everything rather then getting up and actually DOING.....

I actually would dissent completely with this apparent interpretation of the activities of the church. Prayerful dependence on the grace, strength and leading of God, as He chooses to provide and to guide, is central to what the Lord's blood bought pilgrim people have done. All legitimate actions by believers should have as their origins a spiritual basis. Jeremiah 17.5 is worth remembering.

 

[Destructus86]

They prayed. Took action and then trusted God to lead theirsteps in those actions. It’s shown over and over and over in the Bible.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>