I’m on my soap box for a short minor rant. I may be in the flesh… I’m not sure. It’s a good thing I’m perfect or I couldn’t write this post (Snicker, wink!).
What is it with staff on one church publicly criticizing and critiquing another church’s involvement in the tornado recovery? What is it with a church calling local TV stations and newspapers to be followed while they are doing tornado recovery? I mention those two situations because they are personal for me. I am thankful I don’t know the pastor of either church that engaged in these activities or I’d probably have a conversation that wouldn’t be of much encouragement (Remember… I’m perfect. Snicker, wink).
What a church decides to do and how they engage in ministry to those stricken by the tornadoes is their business… between them and God. Just because a church doesn’t trumpet their involvement doesn’t mean they aren’t involved or doing what they can to help others. Seems I remember it being written somewhere sometime…
Prov 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Matthew 6:2 When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Romans 14:4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Pride. That’s our problem. That’s those pastor’s problem. It’s a problem I battle constantly. It doesn’t matter who sees us minister… in fact… it is better not to be seen ministering to others. What God gives one congregation to do is His call… not the staff of another or different church. The important thing is that both are obedient to carry out the mission God has given them.
Personally… the only people I care who know about what we’re involved in with the tornado recovery where I serve are those who attend or are a part of the congregation… and then only if they want to know. If I go past that the deceitfulness of my own heart will lead to pride… self-aggrandizement… and thinking I’m something when I’m not.
Okay… off the soap box now. Wasn’t so bad was it??
It seems some people are incapable of getting past their own agenda even in a crisis like the tornados. I’ve heard of people criticizing others because they didn’t think their donations were being shared equally among white and black victims. Broke my heart that that is all they saw. Not the magnanimous generosity of God’s people, not the effort to help as many as possible, not the sacrifices. God be glorified by what we do and not man! His glory is all that is important. Good rant my friend! Bless you!