Over the past fifteen years, the ministry of Heaven’s Family has raised more than 30 million dollars to expand Jesus’ kingdom and serve “the least of these” (Matt. 25:31-46) all over the world. That 30 million dollars did not fall from the sky! Rather, it was raised through the very hard work of dedicated staff members, and given by thousands of people just like them, people who have also been transformed by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. Praise God that the Holy Spirit turns selfish people into selfless people! Their cooperation, of course, is necessary, but the glory goes to God, and all of us will one day be casting our crowns at the feet of Jesus.
If someone’s salvation hasn’t yet affected their wallet and bank account, it hasn’t yet affected their heart. Those kinds of “Christians” need, as I once heard an old Pentecostal pastor say, “another dip”! I don’t think he was recommending that they be re-baptized with hopes of a better outcome, but that they be truly born again by a genuine faith.
Any time people complain about those of us who, like the apostle Paul (see 2 Cor. 8-9), raise money to serve suffering fellow believers, that is a sure sign those complainers do not yet have a sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are Christians in name only. By contrast, Paul wrote about the Macedonian believers: “For I testify that…they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints” (1 Cor. 8:3-4, emphasis added). The test of true salvation is love for the brethren (1 John 3:14-20), and the “sheep” always pass that test, while the “goats” always fail it (see Matt. 25:31-46).
Goats really don’t love Jesus, as proven by the fact that they don’t care about “the least of these,” the suffering members of His body. “Goat theologians” and “goat pastors” are quick to tell us that Matthew 25:31-46 has no application to new covenant believers, and we need not be concerned that we will ever find ourselves at the Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats, because Jesus’ grace frees us from any obligation to love Him.
Interestingly, many goats are happy to “give” to the churches they attend, but they never stop to think that their “gifts” are used primarily to benefit themselves, as often 90% (or more) of what is given to churches is used to pay for what serves those who do the “giving.” It is somewhat akin to those businesses that promise that, if you make a purchase, they will give a certain percentage of their profits to some worthy cause. It is actually a sales gimmick that helps motivate people to buy their products. That same gimmick is used in churches. Pastors sometimes brag during offerings, “10% of everything you give goes to missions!” That means 90% goes to pay for what benefits those who give. I am persuaded that there is a better way.
Thank God for all those who, like the apostle Paul, are not ashamed to raise money to help relieve the sufferings of others, particularly the sufferings of believers. Paul wrote two entire chapters to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8-9) to persuade them of such a worthy cause. And thank God for all of those who, like the Macedonian believers, have been touched by God’s grace (2 Cor. 8:1) to be transformed from “kickers” to “givers.” Kickers never give, and givers never kick!
