Actscelerate.com

Money from sinners

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **6/26/17 11:38 am**

After Bible study a few weeks ago, we started talking about the houses on school property in our county that is solely used for the purpose of Bible studies for the kids in school. Over the years people, churches, and different organizations have contributed monies to build these houses. The most recent house was built about five years ago and a motorcycle club wanted to donate ten thousand dollars toward the house.

This club holds a concert on a weekend every September. I have been told that everything and anything goes on during this weekend. Men and women running around naked or no tops on, liquor flowing like a river, any drug you would want is there. All this takes place in a small community and this club gives thousands of dollars to the city every year, so the police turns a blind eye to all the things this club does. I have been told that the community looks forward to this event every year and supports it by volunteering at the event.

One couple in my church attended another church during the time that funds were being raised for the Bible house. When their church found out the motorcycle club was going to give money towards the house, the pastor contacted the committee of the Bible house and told them if they accepted the donation from the motorcycle club, they would pull their churches donation.

Their reasoning was they felt it would give the club the impression that the church approved of their behavior.

My question is, would you accept money from an organization like this motorcycle club? I would and explain to them that because I accept their money, in no way, shape, or form does it mean that I or the church condones their behavior.

Acts-celerater Posts: 787 **6/26/17 1:17 pm**

This is a difficult dilemma Ernie. On one hand you wouldn't want your church to be linked in any way to the illicit activities taking place there, while on the other hand you risk offending those who wish to support the house but may not understand your motives.

Even if you accept their money with the understanding that acceptance does not mean you are giving your approval of their conduct, many will say that your church has compromised its position.

Maybe better to avoid any confusion by refusing their money. Just a thought.
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“Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”
Voddie Baucham

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **6/26/17 4:10 pm**

I believe I would accept the money from whomever, and thank God for providing through whichever avenue He saw fit to provide through. When our church sells something for a fundraiser, we don't discriminate as to who we sell stuff to, whether sinner or saint.

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **6/26/17 5:19 pm**

Great gootness, ole Wyatt is right. Hey, the devils had at money long enuff. Use it fer God now.

Golf Cart Mafia Capo Famiglia Posts: 4682 **6/26/17 7:36 pm**

If the club & the community don't already have a good idea of what the church stands for/against, then the church is the one with the issue not the club.

Why not use the event to set up a booth & sell cold beverages w/out alcohol & put out a big banner of the church & all of it's activities?
Don't smear the good name of the church over some over sized self righteous position as if their brand of holiness can't be influenced with big money.
If a trusted board member gets a lotto ticket as a gift & it hits a big score I guarantee the pastor will look forward to a nice offering.

Take your stand but do so right in the middle of the enemies camp & use this event as a tool of evangelism.

.
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01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **6/26/17 9:44 pm**

The Bible house was built

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **6/27/17 8:26 am**

before I started pastoring our church. It was another church under another pastor five years earlier.

What struck me was the way this couple was talking and acting self righteous. It made me sad in thinking I have been preaching about how we need to be Jesus in the flesh to everyone, but people pick and choose who they are comfortable with in doing good deeds.

Like Wyatt, I would thank the Lord for the gift and use the opportunity to teach that money is just a tool that God provides to further the ministry.

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **6/27/17 9:31 am**

Yes - perhaps the club is making a half hearted attempt at appeasing their conscience.

Take the money - and get an opening to get them "altogether" persuaded to follow Christ.
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