We hear that our role, ideally, is to out-give the government in caring for our poor and needy. Here are some of the comments I've heard, in the past.
Why should we give to other's who blow their money on frivolous behaviours and expect other's to take care of them? Who, are given living spaces with dishwashers, carpeting and exceed in the quality of the homes that we live in, scrimp and save to pay for.
Why are the churches unable to feed the poor? Because they spend every cent trying to care for the upkeep and heating of their own buildings on meager budgets. It's all about the numbers. Numbers which are in decline, mostly elderly, and, that doesn't appear to be changing.
Regardless of the standard of the people who attend, they are still very charitable, and giving, as a nation. It always has been and will be because of the Love of our brother.
You cannot extend yourself more than your means, and from where I sit, people are, for the most part, in debt.
People do the best they can, and get tired of the preaching, and that is why they don't come back. They are trying, but what they do is never enough. Church should not be about being slapped down to conform to the past actions of previous "rules" of the faithful with authority figures that seek to put the fear of God in believers.
That is why the "feel good" churches are doing so well. They are packing the seats. The "love baskets" are overflowing. Pushing, criticising and dictating to people on the edge, predictably will result in their pursuing a church that seeks them just as they are, "hungry". Hungry for acceptance, forgiveness and to be loved, (not judged).
Those are the churches that are meeting their obligations.
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