Churches: Commerce Or Compassion?

Lenny Bruce provides a thought-provoking statement that acts as a precursor to the discourse in this article. He observes that: “Everyday, people are straying away from the church and going back to God.”

This is a somewhat debatable statement depending on your school of thought. In poring over this quote though, one may reasonably argue that people may not necessarily be leaving the church physically, but emotionally detaching themselves from traditions amongst others, and seeking a deeper personal relationship with God. Further thought on this issue snowballs to me asking myself the question of whether the churches of today are for commerce, compassion or a hodgepodge derivative of both.

This issue seems to polarise opinion from both the saved and the unsaved and I may be accused of stirring up “a hornet’s nest” by generating such a debate. Notwithstanding what my critics advocate, I firmly remain unperturbed in my belief of the validity of the subject matter. My aim is not to equip critics of churches with ammunition to thwack every church but to seek a reassessment of our priorities which may have been misplaced. The realisation that I am in no popularity contest gives me grounds for neutrality.

It is reasonable to believe that my audience may have had their own opinions before discovering this article. However, my suggestion is for readers to peruse my position through the objectivity lens, if possible, to ensure a relation to the arguments made.

James 1:27 KJV sets the ball rolling by averring that: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” From this passage, one can argue that in God’s original frame of events, churches (as an assembly propagating the religion of Christianity) are supposed to be towing the line of demonstrating compassion to a dying world. An insightful definition of compassion I have adopted is that; it is love in action. The epitome of such an attribute remains our Lord Jesus Christ.

A classic case of such demonstration can be found in Luke 9:12-13. Jesus showed that He was not just interested in the spiritual well-being of His followers. Contrary to what the disciples were seeking, Jesus commanded them to feed the multitude. Today, there are ministries that are doing just what Jesus asked of His disciples. Such ministries truly deserve commendation and I am inclined to the belief of you knowing one or two of such.

Further, it is laudable and refreshing to note that in this dying world, there are churches that are embodying the love of God in action. At present, a number of them are positively contributing to the development of their communities and helping in the transformation of lives. Unfortunately, such good works may not get the publicity that it deserves as corroborated by the popular saying that good works are written on water. I bow my hat to all churches that are really showing the ‘compassion’ that is expected of them.

In sharp contrast to the above, this claim cannot be made by all churches. To make matters worse, Ecclesiastes rightly points out that: “...dead flies give perfume a bad smell...” [Ecclesiastes 10:1NIV]. This appears to be the situation with some churches focusing more on commerce than compassion if at all.

The use of commerce in this article elucidates the notion of trade i.e. the peddling of the gospel for personal gain. There appears to be a subtle avarice in some ministers of the gospel which percolates to the surface in a palpable display of unquenchable penchant for opulence, whiles the flock remain destitute.

Today, we see churches that are more concerned about style rather than substance. Such adopt all sorts of means, either overt or covert, to achieve their questionable objectives and would stop at nothing to obtain their filthy lucre.

In the days of Paul, the commercialisation of the gospel was ongoing leading him to retort that: “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love...The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely...”[Philippians 1:15-17 NIV].

It is amazing the lengths that some churches go to commercialise the gospel. Increasing global development has also bequeathed some churches with more sophistication in their approach. The result has been the techniques that aid their ability to turn their churches into ‘super-profitable’ business empires that even those in the secular world would be envious of. Perusing through some of the accounts of these churches is a real eye opener.

That said, it would be foolhardy though to suggest that churches should not accept any donations from their members. This would be against scripture as stated in Galatians 6:6 AMP: “Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]”. Yet, such scriptures do not justify how far some ministers of the gospel go in turning their churches into commercial entities either in a brazen manner or in all subtlety.

It comes therefore as no surprise for Martin Luther to comment that: “For where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” This notion evokes the idea that some ministers of the gospel started out with God but have lost their way, just like Paul said of Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10 KJV: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica...”

L. Ron Hubbard was right about one thing: “If you want to get rich, you start a religion”. One may further add that perhaps you could consider the option of adapting or modifying an existing one. This is what makes the ‘Jesus Industry’ such a lucrative one for many to consider. The convulsion of scripture is the best weapon adopted by such charlatans to peddle their charade. Their gammon is many at times pushed through by their right to claim divine exemption from criticism. For most members, you do not have the right to question the activities of such as they are the closest thing to God. It is not surprising that St. Thomas Aquinas observed: “Clearly the person who accepts the Church as an infallible guide will believe whatever the Church teaches”.

It is quite commonplace to discover the abuse of 1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15 KJV which reads “...Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” This scripture is often used by some of these so-called anointed servants of God to dispel reasonable arguments from any thinking souls. How sad that scripture is used to silence any dissenting views.

Considering the modus operandi adopted by some ministers in running their churches, Samuel Butler may be vindicated when he says that: “Christ and The Church - If he were to apply for a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, adultery and desertion, he would probably get one.”

There is a need for all minister of the gospel to re-assess their priorities and take the needed action as required. It is not too late to make the necessary amendments. The question they should ask is whether they are in it to show compassion or for profit motives. We as church members should also realise that we have a role to play. For those of us who refuse to act, we may be deemed as guilty as those who fan the ‘profiteering’ of such ministries. As to whether this clarion call is heeded and we begin to see some changes or not, one can only hope in anticipation with bated breath.

Paul admonishes in Romans 13:7 KJV that: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

To all those truly running your churches on grounds of ‘compassion’, keep your good work up, always remembering 1 Corinthians 15:58 GNT “So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.” On the contrary, for those only interested in commerce, your fate has already been predicted from Matthew 7:21-23 KJV: “...And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

I shall return with my take on Church Giving: Compulsion or Choice. As always, comments are welcome for a healthy discourse.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

Blog: www.franksilverson.blogspot.com