Church Business

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.   You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 NKJV

Mammon ~ Wealth regarded as an evil influence of a false object of worship or devotion.

Can a church be truly self sufficent?  I think so, but then I come across the scripture in Matthew 6:24 and I start to wonder.  Yes, I believe that a church can be financialy self sufficient, as well as Gods church being self sufficient.  What are the financial obligations of the modern church?  Feeding the poor?  Helping the homeless and those less fortunate?  Those basic obligations I am in agreement with as this follows scripture of helping those in need.  However, the modern church seems to have gotten away from the basics.  We've all seem them on weekly TV sermons or radio broadcasts in what seems like a endless request for donations to one mega church or another.

"Well I see him on the TV, preaching bout' the promised land.  He tells me believe in Jesus, then steals the money from my hands."
~Something To Believe In ~ Poison

Now, this may beg the question, can a church be TOO big?  I can recall the downfall of a few noteable media pastors who ultimately fell victim to the dreaded "Mammon."  Jerry Falwell and Jim Baker are two that come to mind.  Of course, it never fails that when one of these mega church pastors falls, the public is quick to point out the hypocracy of all christians.  To some extent they may be right.  I mean, so many churches have become so large that 3 worship services on Sunday barely can accomadate the congregation.  Of course, as the church grows, the facilities needed often grow with it, which often leads to greater church financial obligations as well.  Before long, the church is bleeding more money into facilities and staff than into helping those in need.  Oh, those hypocritical christians!  How big does a church need to be?  Do we even need a church building?  Personaly, I feel that God can be worshiped  anywhere in his creation.  Can we replace a large fancy church with a gathering of people in a quiet meadow on a Sunday morning?  ABSOLUTELY!  Whether people will engage in this idea is another question.  I'm of the opinion that many would.  What would christianity be without so many large, ornate places of worship?  More than likely in a better position to help those around them in need.   My friend David once told me of a church he visited that NEVER asked for tithes on Sunday morning.   Instead, there was a simple offering box in the church foyer where people could give.  Interestingly enough, the church is still going strong.  Kind of gives affirmation to "God will provide."  If we dare use the passage in Matthew 6:24 as a litmus test for how we do church today,  we may find we're more able to direct Gods blessings to those who need it.

~Scott~