Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Category: Wealth

Should Churches Fundraise?

July 21, 2023 /

This is one of those questions that must be guided by God’s Word and common sense because there is no chapter and verse that specifically addresses the many fundraising options available to churches today (silent auctions, firework stands, raffles, etc). The leadership of each church has freedom on how to decide these matters, but they should always make an informed, prayerful decision. 

Let’s start with raffles. Every now and then someone will ask if it would be possible to raise money with a fundraising raffle. The most helpful way to address this issue is to first understand what a raffle is. The State of California Penal Code Section 320.5 describes a raffle as a “scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance among persons who have paid money for paper tickets that provide the opportunity to win these prizes.” In order to protect against a raffle being considered an illegal lottery, it has to be operated in-person by a registered charity or non-profit organization and at least 90 percent of the profit from the raffle must go “directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California.” Religious organizations do not have to report the income from raffles, but all other charities and nonprofits have specific guidelines for registering and reporting raffles with the Attorney General’s office. 

The fact that the state of California includes raffles in their penal code should give a pretty good hint about the wisdom of churches using them. As Christians, we are to be “above reproach,” which means “not being a lover of money.” (1 Timothy 3:2,3) We should always prefer to seek an income by good, honest work, which means avoiding games of chance and gambling (1 Thessalonians 5:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Hebrews 13:5). The fact that the California penal code includes raffles as a game of chance makes it clear that this method of fundraising should be avoided by churches. 

Silent or live auctions do not involve lotteries, but they are still regulated by the state. In this case I would recommend seeking legal advice regarding sales tax and the need for each church to receive a California Seller’s Permit. This website has some helpful information www.fplglaw.com/insights/california-charity-auctions. Silent auctions can be effective fundraisers because generous donors often give items to the church that can then be sold to raise funds for the church. Both the party donating the items and those buying them need to have documentation to prove that the church is raising funds with integrity. 

It is important for churches to seek wise financial advice regarding all forms of fundraising because there are many traps that can have a negative impact on the testimony of the Church. Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). The context of this passage is referring to his followers preaching the gospel, but I believe the principle is true for how Christians and churches handle finances as well. Our Lord and Savior is very interested in how churches invest the resources they have been given. 

Luke 19 contains a profound parable that Jesus taught about a nobleman who gave money to ten of his servants before leaving on a journey. When the nobleman came back he praised the servants who had invested the funds wisely, while he cursed the servant who did not invest what he had been given. He said, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Luke 19:11-27) Jesus Christ promised to build his church, but he wants the church to be wise and thoughtful in how they use the funds they have been given. 

The apostle Paul understood that the ultimate source of all church funds come from God. In his second letter to the Corinthian church he wrote, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” As it is written,“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” This last quotation comes from Psalm 112:4, which describes the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord. This is the main principle that should guide all church fundraising. It should be done in a way that honors God. In the early church, if one church had a need, it would be communicated to another church, which would prepare a financial gift for the needy church. The attitude of giving was to be one of joy, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7) This example of giving suggests that the primary source of local church funds should come from believers who are motivated by their love for God. This does not mean that Christians can’t give towards a silent auction or a Tri-tip fundraiser, but it does mean that they are carefully considering their motives whenever they give. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is a helpful motto, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

My prayer is that those reading this article will be motivated to do the work of research and study with the funds they have been given so they might be considered good stewards of all God has given them. 

Physical Wealth or Spiritual Health? 

June 9, 2023 /

Is it easier to live as a faithful Christian in a rich country or a poor country? Is it better for your spiritual health to be surrounded by possessions and the temptations of wealth or to live in a poor country with less distractions? I had to spend time living outside the United States before I realized that wealth can be one of most dangerous enemies of the Christian life. 

The Bible teaches about the dangers of wealth. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (English Standard Version) Jesus Christ surprised his disciples when he said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24) I know American Christians would agree with this statement, but how many of us would call ourselves rich? How many of us want to admit that we are a part of the group that would find it difficult to enter heaven? 

This is important to consider because we can deceive ourselves into thinking we are not wealthy. Many American Christians wouldn’t think of themselves as rich because our society often uses that term for the upper 1% of a society. The truth about wealth, that is often overlooked in our country, is that the majority of Americans are richer than the most of the world. I found a website that lets you enter your income and family size in order to see how much of the world is richer and poorer than you. (howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org) I entered the average US income from 2021 ($70,784) with two parents and four children into the wealth calculator. The results are that if you made that much you would be richer than 89.9% of the world! 

During my research for this article I also learned that America has had the largest economy in the world every year since 1871! This means that even though the country went through immense difficulty during the Great Depression, we were still the largest economy in the world. This also means that people whose families have been in this country for the last one hundred and fifty years have become accustomed to a culture of wealth. It is the air we breathe. We may not think of ourselves as rich, but compared to the majority of people in the world, we certainly are. And if you compare the wealth of American Christians today to the people that Jesus was speaking to in Matthew 19, then the difference is even more stark. 

In Jesus’ time the majority of people were living in what would be described today as abject poverty. Most people were subsistence farmers who did not own the land they farmed. They had to pay significant taxes to the land owners and to tax collectors who kept a large percentage of profits for themselves and gave the rest to their Roman rulers. If people from Jesus’ day could come and see how we live today, they would think we were even wealthier than the rich young ruler. They might have been impressed with the many possessions that he had, but what would they think about the cars we drive or the homes we live in? What would they think about air conditioning? They wouldn’t even have a category to describe the kind of wealth we have and take for granted. 

I think this is fascinating to think about because Jesus’ point in Matthew 19 is that it is difficult for rich people to enter heaven. Rich people, like the rich young ruler, have “great possessions” that can get in the way of their relationship with God. The rich young ruler went away “sorrowful” because he knew he would have to give up the idol of his wealth in order to serve God faithfully. I often think about this in terms of living in the United States. It is a common occurrence to see Christians get drawn into the rat race of riches. It is easy to find yourself looking around, thinking that we need more wealth to be happy. I have to constantly remind myself that God does not want me to store up treasures here on earth, “where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:19) He wants me to live for eternity. He wants me to live ready to give up any of my physical possessions to follow after him. He doesn’t want me to be sorrowful when I think of giving up time and money for him. He wants me to be joyful! 

When I read the account of the rich young ruler, I am sobered because I know I am in danger of acting like the rich man. I am in danger of being caught up with the temptations that wealth and comfort bring. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to live in less affluent countries like Albania, Malaysia, and Thailand. My time in those countries convinced me that with wealth comes spiritual apathy. Instead of relying on God for our daily bread, people in wealthy countries often forget about God (Proverbs 30:8-9). Instead of learning to walk by the Spirit in slower economies, American Christians often feel the need to keep apace with the frenzied pace of an affluent society. I often think about how different life would be if people couldn’t afford the automobile or internet access. Would we immediately discover that we have more time to fellowship with people the way believers did in the early church. We would have time to practice the “one anothers” as we are commanded to in Scripture (1 Cor. 11:33, Gal. 5:13, 6:2, Eph. 4:2). 

I have been rushed to even write this article. There are deadlines and responsibilities that come from living in California that keep everyone busy. I wish I had time today to write about the other dangers to spiritual growth that come with wealth and comfort. The dangers of spiritual laziness and complacency. The danger of fearing man rather than God. These are very real symptoms of a life that is devoted to the pursuit of wealth.

God may bless you with wealth and great possessions, but the Christian must always remember that this world’s wealth is transitory. The wealth that God is concerned about is spiritual wealth and riches and that can only be found by keeping focused on God and dependent on him. 

Investing in the Future

January 3, 2022 /

The New Year marks the perfect time to think about investing in the future. As the calendar flips back to January 1st, we can reflect on the past and consider our steps for the year to come. 

As Christians we need to be interested in both short-term and long-term investments. Jesus often taught about the importance of using money wisely. In Luke 14:28 he taught his disciples, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” This is common sense wisdom that is applied to financial investment. The fool builds before considering the cost. The wise man carefully considers what he has and builds accordingly. 

Most of Jesus’ financial teaching was focused on investing in the future. He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt. 6:19-21) The last line is the most important. We each show where our interests lie by where we spend our money. 

This is a great principle to consider as we look to the new year. Where are you going to spend the money God has given you stewardship over? How are you going to use the skills you have been given to bring back a plentiful return on your investment? Are you going to use the time he grants you this year for gain that is focused on this lifetime, or are you going to invest it in eternity? 

The Parable of the Sower is sobering because only one of the four types of soil yields a fruitful harvest. The first three types of soil are either too hard, too shallow, or too harsh to support the seed taking root and producing a healthy return. It is only the last soil, the good soil that bears fruit and yields a harvest “in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Mt. 13:23) 

The meaning of the parable is that the first three soils are those who hear God’s word and do not obey it. The last soil is the good soil that “hears the word and understands it.” In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” 

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and makes it possible for him to yield a bountiful harvest. The Holy Spirit guides the believer through God’s word. This is the secret to investing in the short term and the long term. By obeying God’s word you will be able to live focused on others. You will be able to consider how God wants you to invest your time and money, and it will bring fruitful return today, tomorrow, and for eternity. Jesus said, “ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 

Competitive Stewardship

December 3, 2021 /

Have you ever thought about stewardship as competitive? By competitive, I mean striving to be as generous as possible with your time, talents, and money. Competitive stewardship is applying the discipline of an athlete to excel in the God-given responsibility for humanity to “work and keep” the land as Adam was commanded in Genesis 2:15. 

Competitive stewardship starts with asking probing questions. How does God desire me to live? What limits should my lifestyle have in order to prepare people for eternity? What does it mean to “use the world” but not make “full use” of it or to “own” but not “possess”, as Paul commanded believers in 1 Corinthians 7:30-31? What does it mean to not claim anything as “one’s own,” as the early church modeled for us in Acts 4:34? Further, how are we to live as pilgrims just passing through in a culture aggressively insistent on indulgence, record-high consumer debt, and competitive consumption?

After spending time contemplating these questions, I want to offer seven convictions of a competitive steward. 

1. A competitive steward understands that he is headed to a lasting city and a far nicer home than any home in any city in this world (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Heb 11:10, 13:14). This helps the Christian to invest in eternal rewards more than earthly rewards. 

 2. A competitive steward owns his theology, not his things. A competitive steward knows he is owned by God (1 Cor 6:19-20) and that what he “owns” is not actually his own (Acts 4:34). What he does own temporarily he will gladly give to another, if in giving he is successfully meeting a physical or spiritual need, thus bringing delight to the Lord (Acts 4:34, 20:35; 2 Cor 8:5).

 3. A competitive steward understands that stewardship is not optional, it’s essential. Following Jesus’ mission is radical and repentance from competitive consumption must take place in order to follow Him (Col 3:5, Lk 14:23). Competitive stewardship must replace competitive consumption.

 4. A competitive steward is a strategic investor. He seeks to do the greatest amount of work, for the greatest number of people, in order to bring them the greatest good both now and for eternity! This goal maintains a clear view towards heaven and reminds us that Jesus’ eternally-incentivized plan is for each of us to make His heaven our bank (Mt 6:21). C.S. Lewis said, “If you aim at heaven you will get earth thrown in, if you aim at earth you will lose both.” 

5. A competitive steward hates waste. He sees the thief of excess. The more I have, the more I have to be responsible for. The more I have, the more time out of my already-focused life I will need to take care of it. Ten shirts are better than twenty. If something does not serve me well in my roles in family and in church—to care for those entrusted to me (first locally then globally)–it is in the way. Mass requires orbit; the more I have, the more I have to maintain.

6. A competitive steward lives not for amassing more things for self, but for honoring God through caring well for people. As a competitive steward, I make it my aim to have more friends waiting to welcome me into eternal dwellings. So, I invest to get the gospel to the nations. As a competitive steward, I want more poor people to have clean drinking water in order to simply live, so I help the poor and needy. I want more people to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want more healthy churches planted and more Great Commission, gospel-forwarding works of missions funded. So, I serve my local church, equipping others for works of ministry and toward growth in maturity.

 7. A competitive steward sees the thief of death coming. As sure as night follows day, death will eventually separate me from my earthly things forever (1 Tim 6:6-7). What earthly things do I want to leave behind? Only those things that have served me well in my service to the King and will serve my heirs well in the same mission. This rules out a whole lot of things people belonging to this world clamor for.

In summation, how does God desire us to live? What limit should my lifestyle have in order to prepare people for eternity? Should I not, as one already delivered out of this passing world by King Jesus (Gal 1:4), be ruled by a godlier ambition in quite the opposite direction as this world is trending?

How about you? Are you being wise with your resources? Do you aim at eternity? Is your stuff serving you in your service to God or are you serving your stuff? Are you preparing others for eternity and helping them get there? Are your material assets serving you in your mission for God or are some of them in the way?

Seven Rules for Rich Living

August 3, 2021 /

Our society is one of the wealthiest in the world. The average annual income of our planet is a little more than $2,500 a year! As a result of our wealth many Christians in the U. S. struggle to live in a way that is rich towards God. This struggle brings specific temptations that must be understood in order to be resisted. The apostle Paul gave seven rules for rich living in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. The following principles will help Christians who are rich in earthly goods be rich in heavenly wealth as well. 


Don’t Be Arrogant
The first rule for rich living is Don’t Be Arrogant. There is a natural tendency for wealth to make people think about themselves more highly than they should. Paul wrote, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty…” Instead of becoming isolated and insulated to others problems, wealthy Christian need to continually think of others as more important than themselves. 

Don’t Set Your Hope on Wealth
The second rule for rich living is Don’t Set Your Hope on Wealth. Paul put it like this, “Charge them not to… set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches.” Earthly wealth is uncertain. We don’t know when an investment will lose value. If we allow the pursuit of wealth to consume our thoughts then we will be ineffective for the Lord. Proverbs 23:4, “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”


Set Your Help On God 
The third rule is to Set Your Hope On God. This should be done because “He richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Our society is consumed with pursuing wealth apart from God. This narcissistic madness will never be satisfied. But those who pursue God will have their needs met in ways that money cannot buy. Isaiah 55 says, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!” 


Do Good
The fourth rule is Do Good. The goodness referred to in 1 Timothy is defined by God. This means much more than being a good neighbor. To do good means to understand that all your wealth is to be used for the glory of God! James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” If everything you own is from God, then everything you do with your wealth should be done to honor him. 


Be Rich in Good Works
The fifth rule is to Be Rich in Good Works. This does not mean that you can earn salvation with good works. Remember Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Good works come after salvation and those who are wealthy must use their resources to point others to God. 


Be Generous
The sixth rule for rich living is to Be Generous. Paul wrote, “Be generous and ready to share.” This attitude protects against the stinginess that is often connected with those who accumulate wealth. Christians need to constantly have a generous attitude that is ready, willing, and able to give to the needs of others. This has a dramatic impact on how we view our wealth. We are stewards of the resources God has given us. We need to be ready to use them the way God wants them used. 


Invest in Heaven
The seventh rule for rich living is to Invest in Heaven. Paul wrote, “thus storing up treasures for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Riches on earth naturally turn our thoughts away from heaven. They enamor us with a life that is transient and superficial. Like buying a ticket to Disneyland, the fun and games only last for a while. Those who are thinking of heavenly riches look to make investments that will last forever. 
Instead of thinking about things, rich Christians need to think about people. Every human has a  soul that will either enter eternity without Christ or with HIm. We have to think about how we can use earthly wealth for heavenly good. That means investing in people and looking for ways to share the love of Christ with those in need. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven.” That is the attitude of those who want to live richly. 

The Camel and the Needle

June 11, 2021 /

There is fascinating account of a rich man who came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him the answer, but he would not do it because he was unwilling to give up his possessions and follow after Jesus. Afterwards Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 

That image is a vivid illustration of the struggle that exists in every human heart. Will someone pursue possessions, or will they pursue God? Will someone lay up treasures in heaven, or will they settle for investing in the corruptible riches of this world? It can be a surprisingly strong battle in our hearts unless we have been trained to see that wealth often leads away from God because it leads to wickedness.

The apostle Paul made this clear when he wrote, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” We often hear that verse and think it refers to people in the world. The gambler who ruined his family to feed his addiction. The greedy politician who embezzled funds. The shocking realization about Paul’s warning is that he was writing to the church! He wrote, “It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

The tragedy of pursuing wealth is that it often deadens a Christian to the pain they are inflicting upon themselves. Like a leprosy patients who burns themselves without knowing it, a Christian in pursuit of wealth can hurt their spiritual health without knowing it. Their conscience can become deadened to the clear teaching of Scripture which means they are in danger of damaging their soul.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” I have met many professing Christians who act as if this verse has been removed from their Bibles. They know they should prioritize meeting as a church family, but they act as though Sunday is just Saturday with a different name. 

Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26) Our society is super-charged with consumerism. It is built around the premise that the whole world can be yours if you work hard enough. If that means working on Sundays then so be it. As Christians we must be aware of the madness of materialism. We must remember we are different than the world. We take every thought captive. We live to please the Lord and not the consumerism of our society. 

A good litmus test for this is to ask yourself how often you attend church. If you have been able to go a month without attending church, then your conscience has clearly become deadened. If you only go to church when you are scheduled to serve your local congregation, then there is something wrong. If you have taken a job that has you consistently working on Sundays, then you need to reconsider your priorities. Starving your soul in order to pay the bills will have consequences. How much is your soul worth? How much is your relationship with God and the local church worth to you?

So how do we counter our culture’s incessant cry for more wealth, more money, more things? It is quite simple. We have to think of wealth the way the Bible does. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” We have to ask ourselves is this purchase helping me serve God or money? Does this job allow me store up treasure in heaven or only here on earth? Do our plans for this weekend help us serve God or ourselves? 

The apostle Paul gave the solution to the wickedness of pursuing wealth. He wrote “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) How can we be godly? We have to repent of our sins and commit our lives to Christ! How can we be content? We have to trust in the sovereignty of God. He will provide. And if you can live a godly and content life then your life will natural result in great spiritual gain. Jesus put it like this, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth andrust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth norrust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-20)

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