The title of this article really ought to be, "Talking Some 'Cents' OUT OF Churches," because although I'm not opposed to local churches collecting funds, I am opposed to many of the convential methods used by churches to collect funds. Neither am I opposed to churches having a lot of money in the so-called treasury, but at the same time, the points of this article, when applied, will most likely result in churches having less money in the treasury.
It is my observation that many churches will do just about whatever it takes to collect money to finance their endeavors (many of which should never be sponsored by any church to begin with). We often hear of churches having yard sales, bake sales, auctions and car washes to raise money. Youth groups commonly use fundraisers to raise money for their many projects. As a member of a Baptist youth group in Louisville (during my high school years), I remember selling ice cream to raise money. I begged my friends at school to buy the ice cream, and then when it came in, no one wanted their ice cream, and on top of that, it was hard to carry tubs of the frozen dessert to school, so I ended up with a lot of ice cream in my freezer.
Other churches resort to more enticing means to raise money. I was a member of a church one time that hosted a "dance club" in the basement of the church building every Friday night. I don't remember if we charged for admission, but I do know that we had a concession stand (i.e. drinks and snacks) so that the young people would have some nourishment after dancing their hearts out to the newest songs from Brittany Spears and Usher, the pop sensations of the time. The Catholic church, of course, is notorious for its "summer picnics" where revenue comes, in large part, from alcohol sales and roulette wheeles.
A "lesser-form" of gambling is the ever-popular "raffle" where tickets are sold for a chance to win some expensive prize, such as a TV. On more than one occasion, I've seen church-folks rush to buy a raffle ticket, not because they want to support some church project, but because they want to win that TV. Each and every time I see that, I am reminded of the people who, with wide-eyes, trade their money for a lottery ticket at the gas station.
Some churches operate businesses to raise money, or they put on concerts for the public, charging an admission fee. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the point.
Here's my problem with all of this...
When I read the New Testament, I do see churches collecting money, but never do I see churches using fundraisers, bake sales, entertainment or gambling to raise money. Here's what I do find:
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need" (Acts 2:44-45).
"Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet: and they distributed to each as anyone had need" (Acts 4:34-35).
"Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea" (Acts 11:28-29).
"But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the stains. For it pleased those in Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem" (Romans 15:25-26).
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come" (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:6-7).
When we read these passages, we learn that there was just ONE way that churches collected money: the free-will donation of one's own money to a central "fund" in order to fulfill a need, or needs that would arise in the near future. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, the inspired apostle Paul was more specific in requiring the "first day of the week," or Sunday, as the day that Christians contributed to the "collection." But, again, in all of these verses, money was gathered via a free-will donation from Christians for Christians.
Oh yeah...there is that one instance when the church in Antioch had a bake sale to raise money for Paul's upcoming missionary journey. Isn't that in there somewhere? Oh...no...it's not.
But I'm pretty sure that the church in Corinth auctioned off the idolatrous objects of their former lives to raise money for that "fellowship hall" that they wanted to build...that is, until Paul told them that they shouldn't come together as a church to eat common meals (1 Cor. 11:22, 34). Then they scrapped the auction! What? That didn't happen either? Oh...
Isn't there a passage in Acts that describes the youth group in Thessalonica...and how they had a fundraiser to gather money for an educational trip to the holy city of Jerusalem? What is it that they sold? Frankincense and myrrh! Oh? What's that? That story's not in the book of Acts? Hmmm.
Yes, I admit it. I'm being ridiculous, but dear reader, I'm just trying to make a point.
According to the New Testament, churches focused primarily on worship and edification. They met to worship and to study the word of God, activities that require little, if any, financial investment. When a need arose, Christians gave freely of their own money to a "common fund" on the first day of the week. But we do not see the churches of the first century engaging in many of the fundraising activities that modern churches are using.
We need to talk some sense into churches by talking cents out of them.
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