MAN AND MONEY
March 2, 2024SURRENDER…SERVE
March 4, 2024Strange are the ways in the Church, when it comes to money, and the people with money. Pardon me, I am not some communist, trying to promote some related ideas and ideals. Having said that, if we observe many of the Churches, in the city that I am from, these days, we will see, what I am trying to get at.
How would the Church leadership receive someone who steps out of an Audi, Mercedes or a Rolls Royce? How would the same people receive someone who walks into the Church, with “simple” clothing and “humble” background? How would the Pastor read the offerings, when the figure mentioned on the cover says, 10,000/- or may be 1,00,000 rupees? How would the same Pastor read the offering of someone, who gives a mere 100/- or 1000/- rupees? In all probability, they may not be read, but simply put aside. But the cover with big figures gets mentioned prominently, with flowing words, and a blessing pronounced, for the “kind” and “benevolent” donour. I have heard such things with my own ears. The reasoning being – when someone gives such a big amount, is it not fair to acknowledge their “generous” gift?
we can also see, some Pastors, who do not visit the homes of poor families, because they cannot “afford” to give them the “proper” or “right” offering. This is a true incident, recounted to me first hand. When the pastor was offered by this poor lady, a gift of 100/- rupees, after he visited their home, the pastor got terribly upset and agitated. He showed her the ‘big’ currency note, which he had, and said, “This is what I should be given.” What a tragedy.
There are many wonderful and good Pastors whom I know personally. Thankful to God for such faithful people. Somehow, in my opinion, based on my personal observation, there is a definite change in our attitude, when we interact with moneyed families, and successful people. We seem to be in “awe” of such people. That is not so, when we interact with simple, ordinary, poor and normal Christians. We, in all likelihood, gently and courteously “dismiss” the poor Christian.
How about us personally? Do we have such struggles? Do we discriminate people based on their money and their success? The Word of God says, “1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” – James 2:1-4. Is this not true even today?
The LORD Jesus comments – “41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” – Mark 12:41-44. What a perspective!!!
