Some years back, after delivering a Bible lesson, the following question was asked; “can the church help an unbeliever?”
When I heard the question, my mind went to an incident of a church that actually assisted a neighbour; who was an unbeliever. And I wondered, if they had done wrong.
The incident was about a congregation that was having their meetings after their normal worship. While the meeting was ongoing, there was a loud cry from the church’s neighbour; who was an elderly woman (grandmother) living with her grandson.
Someone has fallen into a well!
Some of the church members ran out to assist. They rescued the young boy who happened to be the grandson of the neighbour. The boy (who was unconscious) was rushed to a hospital; but unfortunately, the hospital demanded that some money be deposited before treatment.
The church members checked themselves, but were not having enough money; and also, the old woman was not having money.
Some members went back to inform the church who was still in the meeting; and it was agreed in the meeting that some of the money from the collection that Sunday be added to what has been gathered to pay the hospital.
Summarily, the boy was attended to, and resuscitated.
While I was checking if the church has done wrong for using their collection; my mind also went to Gal. 6:10, that stated that…as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone….and 1 Thess. 5: 14 & 15, that stated that…brothers and sisters...always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else…
More so, my mind went to some persons that believe that Gal. 6:10 is a command for the individual christians to obey, and not the church (though, 1 Thess. 5:12-15 is not that contentious).
Then, I thought again, suppose Gal. 6:10 is for individual; and not the church; and while in the meeting the individual christians were asked to gather what they have to rescue the boy; and someone was picked to collect and send the money to the hospital.
Who actually help the woman; the individual or the church?
I thought again; If one says it is NOT the church; supposing a church asked her individuals to contribute for an outlaw organisation (like the Boko Haram); and the government found out. But, instead of the government arresting the individual members that did the contributions; they arrested the church leaders and shut down the church.
Have the government done the right thing?
Who actually gave the money to the organisation?
After going through all these in my mind, and remembering the passage that states; "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them" (James 4:17); I replied the person that asked me the question; that the church could help an unbeliever; but added, depending on the circumstances.
Lately, this issue came up again, and I had to go down the memory lane...
Now, I am thinking of putting some piece together on this!
But, what do you think of the answer I gave?
留言