CYNICAL
All the Church Wants is Money - Part 1
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
February 11, 2024
#realspringcreekchurch #allthechurchwantsismoney #money #tithe #church #give #giving #charitablegiving #God
https://www.springcreekchurch.org/
Cynical is how we feel when we have been constantly exposed to people who are obviously only looking out for their self-interests. Truth be told, that’s the way many feel about the church. That it’s a racket – a money-making enterprise – a pyramid scheme that enriches those at the top at the expense of all those at the bottom. Sadly, that does represent a fair number of churches these days. But what we’re not accustomed to hearing is honest, truth-telling messages as to why these things happen, how to discern when Scripture is being distorted, and what God actually says about what should motivate our charitable giving. That’s what this message sets out to do.
SERIES: ALL THE CHURCH WANTS IS MONEY
It’s important to acknowledge the abusive money messages churches can send and to practice discernment in regard to how we give and to whom we give. That’s what this new series will equip you to do.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What, if any, experiences have you had around prosperity gospel churches or preachers?
2. Pastor Keith talked about how the prosperity gospel has really taken root in Africa in some of the deepest pockets of poverty that exist in the world. It’s also fairly well rooted throughout Latin America and in places like India. Why do you think the prosperity gospel seems to thrive in such desperate places? When so many never actually receive all the material benefits promised, why do they continue to hang on and attend such churches?
3. Pastor Keith discussed how easy it is to read Scripture from a me-oriented filter. This basically means, that whenever we read the Bible, we are constantly asking ourselves, “What does this verse mean to me?” But this is a very problematic approach because it divorces Scripture from its original context, culture, setting, and people. The first question we should be asking ourselves in Bible study is, “What did this verse mean to the original hearers?” Things like the 100-fold heresy (Mark 10.29-30) and the distortion of Jeremiah 29.11 are the direct result of reading these passages and asking only what they mean to us. Review these Scriptures and discuss what these passages meant to the original audience. Can you think of other Scriptures that we miss the meaning of because we are too quick to apply them to ourselves without first discerning their original intent?
4. There are repeated warnings in Scripture about greed and money – far too many to cover in a single message like this. Take some time to search out some of these other Scriptures and share them with each other. With so many explicit warnings about wealth and the desire for wealth, how is it that prosperity preachers and churches circumvent these passages and justify the pursuit of wealth?
5. Paul addresses the proper motivations for giving in 2 Corinthians 9, “…each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” 2 Corinthians 9.6-9. What stands out most to you about this verse? In what ways have you observed the truths you read about here? What would you say to encourage someone who wanted to begin a habit of giving but had fears or misgivings about it?