Now, the right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of the oppression, if they are strong enough, either by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable. But any people or part of a people who resort to this remedy, stake their lives, their property, and every claim for protection by citizenship-on the issue. Victory, or conditions imposed by the conqueror-must be the result.

President Bush could have written these words in describing what Iraq is going through or what would happen to our country (USA) if the jihadist terrorists end up being the “conquerors”. If the Democrats gain power to run this country during a time of war, I believe we would be at risk of losing our lives, our property, and every claim for protection by citizenship – under the Constitution. I hope this make you think a little.

By the way the words were penned by a president and a Republican to boot.

President Ulysis S. Grant way back in 1885, wrote these words and an entire book for us to understand the how difficult is for a country (any country) to live through a time of war. These times of today are the days where our generation is living through a war, are you afraid? I guess Mr. Grant knew more about what a nation in war can do to those who are afraid...(read the Democrats).

The Role of the Congregation in Church Offerings

It is my assertion that there is no duty of the church that cannot be guided by the word of God. Today, I will discuss a duty that will actually make life easier for both the congregation and the leadership of the church. There are many examples in my mind of congregational churches, mine being one, who misplace the roles of the eldership and the laity, often designating the opposite party to a responsibility than what the Bible teaches. This is just one reason why I am biblically opposed to the form of church government where I worship.

How much responsibility does the congregation have to oversee the finances of the church? Should we scrutinize every penny, allow the deacons and elders a small portion to use as they see fit, or should we concentrate on the roles that we have and leave the roles of the leadership to the leadership? By my understanding, the Bible places the burden of managing finances solely on the overseers of the church and not on the laity.

Acts 4:32-35
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

This passage clearly describes the financial activities of the early church. There were those who gave of what they had and those who collected these gifts. Once the people laid the money at the apostles’ feet, they no longer counted it as their own, nor did they give this money with any stipulation or personal oversight. It seems like a simple transaction, doesn’t it? But in many of today’s churches, there are those who continue to think of their offering as their money to manage. They may not request a refund, but they do want control of where this money is to be applied. When you compare this desire to the desire of the early church, the motivations behind such actions is reprehensible!

A common objection to what I have just said would be that we need to be good stewards of the funds that are used in the name of the Lord. While this is absolutely correct, it does create such responsibility for the congregation that they do not need to shoulder, even if they think they want it. Biblically, the only ones who should have this function are the elders and deacons of the church, men appointed first by God and confirmed within the church. Who is to be the steward of the offering? It is the overseer, the elders of the church.

Titus 1:7-8
For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Yes, there is a responsibility to be a good steward, but that duty does not belong with the congregation, but with the leadership. If the congregation truly believes that their elders are set apart by God, and if their elders meet the criteria listed in the Bible, they have every reason needed to trust that the elders will utilize the resources given to them to lead the church. This goes for more than money, of course. Elders are the stewards of the word of God as well and are the most visible ambassadors to the culture from the kingdom of God. They must meet the descriptors that all in the church should seek to emulate. If they are raised up or brought in by the congregation with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that same congregation has the responsibility to respect their leadership in all things, both for biblical reasons as well as in the maintaining of their own intellectual honesty.

If a person desires the overseer’s function of money counting and dispersal, but is not himself an overseer for whatever reason, disqualification or by not being called to that function, they desire a job that is not their own. At best, this will distract the person from the duties the Lord has placed before them. At worst, he will use this pseudo authority to cause divisions within the church.

Romans 16:17-18
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Needless to say, the Bible does not speak favorably about those who would sow division among the brethren. This verse is the reason I reminded you that I am under the scrutiny of the church. There are things the Bible says about certain actions within the church, very strong language to be sure, and they are things that I could not say of my own accord. I must let the Bible speak for itself in this matter. To be fair, I do not believe that these people have evil intentions for the church or her finances. They do however cause strife among the people and murmur behind closed doors, betraying their belief that the eldership of the church is either not chosen by God or that God has not equipped the eldership sufficiently and that they need laypeople to disburse the funds as they see fit.

My friends, am I unloving in this post? Do I need to afford these people more grace? I am friendly with them and encourage them. Some of them sit in my Sunday School class, and I consistently direct them toward the scriptures. In times when there is any disagreement, I routinely speak from the scriptures and expect them to do the same. From the first lesson I taught, that being on Sola Scriptura, those in my class should all know that I will not entertain any concept that the Bible opposes. However, I am in a congregational church that allows the side with the most votes, or sometimes with the most vocal person, to often have their way, even in matters where sound exegesis will show that this plan of action is not according to the revealed will of God. And what does God desire for His church in matters such as this?

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

In this verse, it is shown that those who watch over the affairs of the church will one day give an accounting for how they used the resources given them by God. God will demand an explanation for every transaction and every time a teaching opportunity presented itself. Is this an event that the general congregation wants to face? I say that it is not, for we will be asked how we submitted to the ones set over us by God. How can we submit and also keep our attention on affairs that, frankly, are not our concern? We have a role to play, a duty to perform, a model to present to a dying world. To mistrust the ones set over us is to mistrust God. Strong words? Sure. But they are presented for your consideration in love.