Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord. Multitudes both of men and women.
There is a great emphasis today on Church growth. Everyone is trying to get more people to come to their Church. Every Church wants to be the biggest and the best so they build bigger buildings with bigger parking lots. They construct playgrounds, gymnasiums, and game rooms to attract people. They form committees to come up with strategies about how to entice people to choose their church over the one down the street. They plan meals, games, concerts, events, seminars, etc. to try to get people to attend.
The question is, Why do they do this? What is their motivation? Unfortunately, in many (if not most) cases, the motivation is money. They may argue this point, but when you get right down to it, money is at the root of their effort.
If we could listen in on their Finance Committee, Elder Board, or Deacon meetings, we would hear the truth. They operate on the premise of “build it and they will come.” They say, "If we had a place for the kids to play their parents would come to church. If we feed them a meal every week, they would come."
While that may be true, the question still remains, Why do they want the people to come? This is the question that leads to the true intentions of their heart and if the truth be known, in most cases it’s because they need more money to do something or give someone a raise in salary. People sitting in pews equals money in the offering plate and therein lies the problem.
What does the Word of God say about this? For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10) It absolutely takes money to operate a Church. There are utility bills to pay, bathroom and cleaning supplies to purchase, insurance premiums, and maintenance expenses. All these things are real and they all cost money. So, what’s the answer?
Once again, the answer comes back to faith in God. The Church that dreams up a new scheme every month to make money is not operating in faith in the Lord God Almighty to provide for their needs. God knows the TRUE needs of every Church fellowship and He will provide for them. However, He may not provide all their wants. Wants and needs are two entirely different things. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His Riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
God gave us a Pattern for our churches. We have been studying that Pattern for months. The First Church grew in number every week. The Word of God calls it a multitude which is a great number; thousands! And believers were the more added to the Lord. Multitudes both of men and women. (Acts 5:14)
Did they plan a game night? No. Did they have a concert to attract people? No. Did they build a playground for the kids? No. What did they do? They came together in one accord, preached the Gospel of Christ, ministered to the people by the Power of the Holy Spirit, and trusted God to provide for their needs.
What was the result? And believers were the more added to the Lord. Multitudes both of men and women. (Acts 5:14)
Only God can…..…….turn the tide
Trusting Him for everything. Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
