Many churches spend more on interest payments than on world missions. Debt ties the church’s hands. If attendance drops, the economy suffers, or giving dips, then pastors or missionaries must go unpaid. The building completed eight years ago, already needing repairs, keeps demanding those monthly payments, mostly going to interest. . . . When a church overextends itself financially, it inevitably spends time during services trying to persuade people to give to the building fund. This changes the focus from worshiping Christ, studying the Scriptures, and meeting the needs of the community, to concerns about buildings, mortgages, and money.
HT to Jerry
That's why the word says, owe no man a debt but love. Also, the borrower is slave to the lender. The solution is Spirit-led, free will giving and wise stewardship on the part of each local assembly. "Tithes" need not apply.
ReplyDelete-Carolyn