Helping God financially

All the pentecostal churches can trace their origin to a world wide revival which broke out more than a century ago. Since then many people who have never seen God act in any significant way, have entered these churches. They are puzzled by some practices instituted by old timers who knew the power of God.

Article 38.6 of the 1997 constitution of the Assemblies of God in South Africa reads as follows:

"The financial needs of Recognised Assemblies are normally supplied by the tithes and offerings contributed by the congregations of such Recognised Assemblies. Worldly activities for the accumulation of funds are deprecated."

Many are of the opinion that cake sales, bazaars and craft markets are needed to collect funds for the propagation of the Good News. This mindset subtly undermines our concept of a powerful God. It facilitates the creation of an image in our minds of a God who needs our help. The general effect is that we treat the church very similarly to the way we treat a beggar and the church often acts like a beggar.

Suppose someone in the church, who is a plumber, is asked to quote on a plumbing job. He may feel he should do it cheaply or gratis. In fact, the pastor may expect him to charge a minimal fee, if anything. But the plumber may not be cash flush at the moment and so other jobs get priority over the church's.

We need to be careful how we treat and speak of God's Church. Is he poor? Should jobs for his Bride be put on the back burner? Will he not supply the funds necessary for his work?

My experience has been the opposite. We have not had any "worldly" fund raising activity in our church for more than a year and our financial position has never been better.