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The Bible Says
There was this $20.00 bill and a $I.00 bill on the conveyor belt at the downtown Federal Reserve Building. As they were lying there side by side the $I.00 bill said to the $20.00 dollar bill, “Hey man, where have you been, I haven’t seen you in a long time?” The $20 dollar bill replied, Man I have been having a ball! I’ve been traveling to distant countries, going to the finest restaurants, to the biggest and best casinos, numerous boutiques, the mall uptown, the mall downtown, the mall across town and even a mall that I just newly built. “In fact, just this week I’ve been to Europe, a professional NBA game, Rodeo Drive, the all-day retreat spa, the top-notch hair salon and the new casino! I have done it all! ! !” After describing his great travels, the $20 dollar bill asked the $1 dollar bill, “What about you? Where have you been?” The $ I.00 bill replied, “Well, I’ve been to the Baptist church, the Methodist church, the Presbyterian church, the Episcopalian church, the Church of God in Christ, the Catholic church, the Mormon church, the Disciples of Christ church, the Church of the Latter Day Saints, the A.M.E. church, the . . .” “WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE!” Shouted the $20 dollar bill to the $I.00 bill. “What is a church?”
Commenting on the Great Revival in Indonesia, Kurt Koch wrote: “The growth in the number of Christians has utterly changed the numerical structure of the churches. It would be interesting to compare the church registers showing the actual number attending communion in the year 1963 and the year 1966 for example. If one were not to know that a revival had taken place the question would immediately arise, “What happened to increase the church attendance some twenty-fold in these years?” The growth in the weekly offerings tells a similar story. Whenever the pockets of Christians are touched, something is sure to have taken place. Pockets are the last places to be surrendered to Christ. The door of one’s bank account is always the last door opened to Jesus, if it is ever opened to Him at all.”
Strange as it may seem, God’s work in general, has always been supported by the poor. A few millionaires are generous in supporting certain worthy causes, but those caused seldom include the promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels we are told, “The common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37) . Furthermore, God’s people, whether rich or poor, give gladly to the cause of Christ! Most Christians lament the fact they are unable to give more. During the course of my long ministry, I served four organized churches and pioneered one. I also established and conducted a Mission for the destitute, over a period of nearly four years. During this long ministry, I never once confronted an individual and ask him how much he could contribute to the cause of Christ. That was between him and the Lord. In the organized churches a business committee, together with the District Superintendent, had figured out before I came what the Pastor’s salary would be, and had set up a budget plan for the year. As pastor, it was my responsibility to see that this church budget was met. I had no problem with this and we almost always adopted a building plan in addition to our regular church budget. I would simply announce the need from the pulpit. We would pray about it privately and in our weekly prayer meeting and God supplied the need. Never once did I go to one of my members and ask him how much he could give, or demand a certain sum, as some pastors have done. Our pocketbook is where our heart is. When Moses was led of God to build a portable place of worship out in the Sinai desert, some 2,000,000 refugees, all of them without personal income, were invited to give a free will offering to the Lord. The Tabernacle they built was one of the most elaborate structures ever erected; yet put together in such a manner that it could be taken down and carried. The Ark of the Covenant and many of the other fixtures were covered with pure gold. The garments of the priests contained costly gems. All in all, it was one of the most elaborate and exquisite places of worship ever. Following is a table of some of the materials used:
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