Why do the majority of Christian/Non-denominational/Protestant (Evangelicals especially) base a majority of what they talk about on Malachi 3:10Malachi 3:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough [to receive it].  

WP-Bible plugin?  Why is there such an importance placed on giving money to a church, TV program, or some charity?  When all we see are rich pastors walking around in $500 suits and a big gold and diamond encrusted ring? Okay, so I understand that God gave us what we have, and we are to share the fruits of our labor, but some pastors teach as if this is the ONLY thing in the Bible.  What about compassion for the penniless?  Oh, right, then they’ll bring up the little old lady that gave her last two pennies and how magnanimous of her that she gave all she had, and we are only being asked to give 10%; how positively horrible of me.  Doesn’t God know that I am broke?  Doesn’t He understand that if I don’t pay my rent, I end up homeless?  Doesn’t He understand that you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip?  Okay, so a miracle will happen?  But how am I supposed to believe that God *wants* me to be financially well-to-do?  I should think He has more pressing issues (like forgiving a sinful world) than whether or not I am going to have a financial breakthrough.  Am I wrong, because it seems to me Jesus never asked for money, neither did any of the twelve (with the exception of Judas and the thirty pieces of silver); in fact, weren’t they poor and only had the clothes on their back and what they could carry with them?  Didn’t Jesus tell them that this is how they were to live?

Sincerely,
Money Mad

Dear Money Mad,

You are absolutely 100% right.  A large portion of evangelists today teach what is called “the prosperity gospel”.  Mal 3:10Mal 3:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough [to receive it].  

WP-Bible plugin is one of their favorite verses because it is so easy to twist out of context.  Yes, God blesses us when we obey Him.  Yes, God blesses us when we contribute financially to His work… but those blessings aren’t always financial.

James tells us that the poor are often the most spiritually rich because they have learned to trust in God for their daily needs (Jas 2:5Jas 2:5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?  

WP-Bible plugin).  The church at Laodicea was financially wealthy, and that was their downfall because it led to pride and a sense of self-sufficiency (Rev 3:17Rev 3:17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:  

WP-Bible plugin).  The riches that really count are spiritual ones (Matt 6:19-21Matt 6:19-21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹ for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.  

WP-Bible plugin).  These preachers that tell people to “give so that they can get” are snake oil salesman.  They are of the same character as the Pharisees who “devoured widows’ houses” (Mk 12:40Mk 12:40
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
40 they that devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.  

WP-Bible plugin).

If this is the type of church that you are attending… there is a better and more godly way.  Yes, we should give of our finances… but that isn’t the totality of the Bible message – it isn’t even the majority of it.  We would be happy to help you get in touch with a faithful congregation in your area that teaches the truth.  After all, the church is supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:151 Tim 3:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  

WP-Bible plugin) – not the pillar and ground of the financial world.  E-mail us (askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org) with what part of the world you live in, and we will do our best to get you in contact with a congregation in your area.

Your take on the word of faith?  I am currently a member of a Four Square church with phenomenal growth, although they are moderate in context of extreme examples like Haggen, Hinn, etc.  I came from the Calvary Chapel movement which taught against this.  I have found discipleship and ministry involvement, but I still question the constant repeated claims of, “Speak this exercise, your faith is a force to change circumstances, don’t ever admit poverty, lack, sickness, etc.”  They are always alluding to financial blessings, sowing to reap, etc.  I see Biblical precedence, yet it seems a spin on what God intended to tell us through

His Word.  Declaring all God’s promises has not helped me keep my home, jobs, deliverance from bondage to tobacco, sin, and financial need.  Help me put this into perspective.

Sincerely,
More For The Money?

Dear More For The Money,

The theology that your church is ascribing to is called “the prosperity gospel” – and it is a lie.  The prosperity gospel doctrine teaches that the more faith you have, the more money, health, power, etc. you will receive.  They teach that all sicknesses, poverty, and suffering are caused by a lack of faith.  This is simply wrong.

Jesus suffered more than anyone – and yet He was perfectly faithful and never sinned (Heb 4:15Heb 4:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.  

WP-Bible plugin).  When Jesus was asked why a certain man was blind, His answer was, “That God’s works could be revealed in Him” (Jhn 9:1-3Jhn 9:1-3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 ¹ And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. ² And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? ³ Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.  

WP-Bible plugin).  That blind man wasn’t blind because He had sinned, He was blind because it gave God an opportunity to use him.  The apostle Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” (some sort of sickness) that God gave him… even though Paul was exceptionally faithful (2 Cor 12:72 Cor 12:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Job suffered at the hands of Satan BECAUSE he was so faithful (Job 1:8Job 1:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.  

WP-Bible plugin).  And last, but not least, God clearly states that we must suffer in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (Acts 14:22Acts 14:22
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.  

WP-Bible plugin).

The idea that serving Christ will provide you with every physical blessing you could ever want is a perversion of the Scriptures.  It is a preaching that is based upon selfishness and the love of money – both of which God abhors (2 Tim 3:22 Tim 3:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  

WP-Bible plugin, 1 Tim 6:101 Tim 6:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Christians should condemn and flee from this kind of false teaching.

We have been unhappy in our church for a while now and have visited other churches, many invitations coming from friends and co-workers.

Recently, we went to a large church (3,500 members) where everyone seemed to love the Lord and, as all of us, were trying to do the right thing in their everyday lives.

The church had just completed their “Life Center” where various events took place: children learning to play basketball, Olympic-sized swimming pool, all kinds of hobby rooms where everything you can think of was being taught, etc.

They were very proud that five million dollars had been paid to complete this massive “center” that could just as easily have been called a country club within the church. While I was given the tour, I even asked if lower income families could come and have their children learn to swim, play tennis, etc.  I was quickly told, “Members only”.  (And they have quite an application for you to present before the board in order to join, not about your faith in God, but more of what your earning capabilities are).

We were unhappy at our church for the simple reason that it seemed like a social event where everyone mostly got together to find out what was going on in everyone’s lives.  They would have a meet-and-greet type get-together, then, almost as an afterthought, a 10-minute sermon where, of course, there was no discussion on the subject matter.

I’m particularly fond of one lady who invited us to the “country club church”, and I want to explain to her why deep in my heart I don’t think that’s what God had in mind for us to call ‘church’.

Help me with scriptures as to why it isn’t godly to join together with people who have segregated themselves in this fashion.

It’s so much like “clubs” to me, or maybe I’m making too much of it, and they’re just likeminded people who want to associate just with each other.

Sincerely,
Middle Crust

Dear Middle Crust,

You are right to be bothered by churches like that one!  They are country clubs disguised as religious bodies.  Their religious leaders are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt 7:15Matt 7:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.  

WP-Bible plugin); they lead many people astray by preaching what the people want to hear, instead of preaching the truth (2 Tim 4:3-42 Tim 4:3-4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.  

WP-Bible plugin).  The church is not a social club; it is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:151 Tim 3:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Paul said it best, “The kingdom of heaven is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17Rom 14:17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  

WP-Bible plugin).  The Pharisees were condemned for this kind of grotesque stealing of money from people in the name of religion.  Jesus said that the scribes “devoured widows’ houses” and “loved the chief seats at feasts” (Mk 12:38-40Mk 12:38-40
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
38 And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts: ⁴⁰ they that devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.  

WP-Bible plugin).  The church is not about physical things; it is a spiritual kingdom (Jhn 18:36Jhn 18:36
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Anyone who teaches otherwise is a liar.

Furthermore, any group that emphasizes money to the point of having people fill out a financial application has thoroughly turned from God’s Word.  James specifically teaches not to show partiality between the rich and the poor (Jas 2:1-5Jas 2:1-5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 ¹ My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons. ² For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing; ³ and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool; ⁴ Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?  

WP-Bible plugin).  James says that when we show partiality like that, we prove ourselves “judges with evil thoughts” (Jas 2:4Jas 2:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?  

WP-Bible plugin) and “commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (Jas 2:8-9Jas 2:8-9
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: ⁹ but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Churches that do what you are talking about are full of heresy and deceit.  Those churches are full of false teachers that lead people away from God.  Members of those congregations are duped into believing they are serving God when, in fact, they are doing nothing of the sort.  Without the illumination of the Scriptures, many people are deceived by this prosperity gospel.

But ignorance is no excuse.  Many will cry out to Jesus, “Lord, Lord… did we not do many mighty works by your Name?”, and on the Day of Judgment, Jesus will tell them, “Depart from Me, I know you not” (Matt 7:21-23Matt 7:21-23
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  

WP-Bible plugin).  It isn’t enough to say we believe in Jesus (even the demons do that! – Jas 2:19Jas 2:19
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
19 Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.  

WP-Bible plugin), we must obey His commandments in order to be His friends (Jhn 15:14Jhn 15:14
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.  

WP-Bible plugin).

Why are there so many churches on the earth today?  Shouldn’t we all be unified and agree on what Christ said we should do?

Sincerely,
Unity Matters

Dear Unity Matters,

There was only one church in the first century, and today there are well over 33,000r 33,000
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin different denominations all professing to belong to Christ.  This is not only tragic, it’s wrong.  Christ died for one church, and He gave us one doctrine (Eph 4:4-6Eph 4:4-6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Christianity can only be preserved in the “unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3Eph. 4:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  

WP-Bible plugin).  This means that the only way we can have unity is to use the standard the Holy Spirit has given us – the Bible.

All the denominations have their own creed books, statements of faith, organizational structures, and opinions.  Christ’s church has none of those.  It has one book, the Bible, as its rule and standard for all behavior.  It is our guide for all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:32 Pet 1:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;  

WP-Bible plugin).  It is the book that was handed down once and for all to the saints (Jude 3).  We cannot have faith without hearing this Word (Rom 10:17Rom 10:17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  

WP-Bible plugin), and we cannot please God without obeying its commandments (Jhn 15:14Jhn 15:14
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.  

WP-Bible plugin).

The Catholics trust their Vatican leadership, the Protestants reform a broken system, and the community churches pledge loyalty to their communities and social programs.  The only solution to the religious confusion is a radical step… restoration of Bible-only principles.  Let us go back to the Bible for everything that we do, and if we cannot find Bible authority for something… we must refuse to practice it.  A church that finds its roadmap and structure in the Bible alone is the real solution to the division that exists in the religious world.  When the Bible speaks, let us speak – and when it is silent, let us be silent.

I know that in many of my friends’ churches, they lift and raise their hands during worship.  Is this wrong?

Sincerely,
Raising A Concern

Dear Raising A Concern,

The practice of lifting up your hands during worship is traced to 1 Tim 2:81 Tim 2:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.  

WP-Bible plugin, but unfortunately your friends’ churches misunderstand the verse. There is nothing wrong with literally lifting up your hands to God, but Paul is telling them to “lift up holy hands, without wrath and disputing”. The context is about a certain lifestyle that people were to have. It is similar to the saying, “put your hand to the plow” in Lk 9:62Lk 9:62
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.  

WP-Bible plugin. ‘Lifting up holy hands’ refers to working, laboring, and serving in a godly way. Christians are to serve God faithfully, without arguing and disputing with each other. ‘Lifting up holy hands’ has nothing to do with how high your arms are raised when you pray; it has to do with the character of the life we live. Are we living holy lives where our hands serve God (1 Cor 4:121 Cor 4:12
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
12 and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;  

WP-Bible plugin)? Raising your hands during worship has the impression of godliness, but it denies the actual power of God’s command to ‘lift up holy hands’ (2 Tim 3:52 Tim 3:5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.  

WP-Bible plugin).

How do you feel about letting the Pastor know that some people he has in leadership – worship leading and youth group – are drinking alcohol on the side while posting their publicly drunken pictures on the internet? Would it be wrong to bring this to his attention? I might add that this couple is in the “Pastor’s clique.” This has been something breaking my soul, knowing that these people have been on stage lifting their hands, praising God on Sunday, and teaching impressionable teens who have access to these pictures — then they are in bars and at parties on Saturday night. Am I sinning knowing it’s happening and saying nothing? Pastors shouldn’t even have “circles or cliques”, right? Please pray and help. I am broken.

Sincerely,
Caught In The Middle

Dear Caught In The Middle,

Yes, you must say something about it. For the sake of addressing the main purpose of your question and not getting distracted, we aren’t going to deal with the issue that your congregation is led by a single pastor, but we recommend you read “Elders” to better understand the problem of a congregation being led by one man. After that, ask your pastor where in the Bible he can find an example of a congregation being led by a single pastor.

Back to the topic, though. Your specific question dealt with whether or not to say something when you know someone else is sinning. If you know there is sin in your congregation, you must address it. Paul condemned the Corinthians because they allowed someone to flagrantly live a life of sin and remain amongst them (1 Cor 5:1-21 Cor 5:1-2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 ¹ It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one [of you] hath his father's wife. ² And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.  

WP-Bible plugin). God tells us that if our brother sins, we must confront him privately (Matt 18:15Matt 18:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  

WP-Bible plugin). If that doesn’t work, bring one or two others with you and confront him again (Matt 18:16Matt 18:16
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 But if he hear [thee] not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.  

WP-Bible plugin). If that still doesn’t work – bring it to the leadership of the congregation, and if he still won’t repent, then the congregation is to withdraw from him (Matt 18:17Matt 18:17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.  

WP-Bible plugin). You have a responsibility to make the sin known for the sake of the person’s soul and for the sake of the spiritual health of the others that they influence.

Some sins we commit when we act the wrong way, and sometimes we sin because we failed to act. If you know someone is openly sinning (and especially if you have evidence, like in your case), you must act. God requires it of you, and if the congregation won’t act as God intends… I recommend reading “Finding A Church”.