Psalm 50:10 is used by many in the Christian faith as a proof text for the riches of God. But a look at the response to the needy would seem to prove it otherwise. There is an increasing need for help for the needy in America. Given the current economic downturn, America is seeing more poverty and homelessness than ever before. In most cases the impoverished will go to the social services of the US Government for resources. But now even that is found wanting. Grocery stores continue to be more and more expensive and poor families run out of food stamps long before the month is out. Many must resort to food kitchens and food banks for assistance in meeting their need. As a believer with some experience in homelessness, I have become increasingly aware of the awkward situation the Church finds itself in.
Because most churches are actually franchises in a particular brand of organized religion, the churches themselves are limited in their ability to help a person over the long term. They are restricted either to only help the poor family once every so many months, or until the benevolence funds run out. They are run like businesses and are not the model of the early Christian church.
The early Church looked like this:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ~ Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 Of note here is the manner in which the believers acted toward their goods and what ought to be done with them. First they were together and had everything in common. Nothing is more appalling, nor capable of drawing a seeker away from Christ as to be told that the benevolence funds were tapped and noticing the choir member whose Mercedes Benz SUV is prominently parked outside. There is something very NOT together about that. Not that a person cannot own the vehicle they like but James is clear about the ramifications of riches in the church.
My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing; and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, Sit thou here in a good place; and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool; Do ye not make distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and themselves drag you before the judgment-seats? Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called? ~James 2:1-7
and
Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days. ~James 5:1-3
One could only wonder if the Pastor or Committee had asked the driver of the Benz for assistance at that time. Our biggest failure is that we let the “church” handle things with the “church’s money”. But Jesus never commissioned a benevolence committee to meet the needs of the “least of these”. He commissioned me and he commissioned you.
Philippians 4:19 says “my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” But God will not come down with a check in hand. He indeed owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but he has given man dominion over them and has called men to be their brother’s keeper as well.
I am involved in a ministry to train and support believers in living a “least of these” lifestyle and to plant churches that do likewise. A lifestyle that does not depend on structures of the church but on what the scripture teaches us about poverty. It is a ministry to mobilize individuals to participate in bringing the Church together and in common, with the result of “adding to their number daily”. It is a work of my heart...God is looking for like-minded people to serve "the least of these"- his brothers....