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| Good Works Are Lacking Support By Roger A. Scully, Jr. |
| Street Address: 1019 Clothilde St., Morgan City, LA 70380 Mailing Address: PO Box 1756, Morgan City, LA 70381 Phone: (985) 384-3489 |
- God chose for man to communicate with man for the salvation of man (Mrk 16:15). For this cause the
inspired apostle wrote, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor 1:17). This
passage in no way minimizes the importance of baptism (cf. 1 Pet 3:21), but rather states a Christian’s job—to
preach the gospel. Verse 21 further states: “it pleased God by the foolishness of the message preached to
save them that believe (NKJV). If people are saved by the message (cf. Jms 1:18), then it is necessary for
those who know that message to teach it. Now, baptism comes into play when the person hearing the
message believes it, and acts on his belief, “he that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mrk 16:16).
The Christian preaches and the hearer must decide to respond to the message preached. In order for this to
be done properly at least 3 things must be available: (1) A man with the ability and knowledge to teach God’s
word (2 Tim 2:2), (2) A man with such an ability in a location were he is needed (cf. Ac 18:6, 7), and (3)
proper financial support (Gal 6:6).
Rightly understood for a man to work as effectively as possible in this realm he is in need of financial
support by means other than through secular work. Paul wrote, “even so hath the Lord ordained that they
which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Cor 9:14). We also read in Philippians 4 how that the
church at Philippi helped support the aged Paul while laboring in the word, as well as they of Macedonia (2
Cor 8). This type of support is necessary because of the time demanded by biblical studies and the need to
have a flexible schedule in order to establish and conduct Bible studies, as well as become acquainted with,
and known by, those in the community in which he labors.
So often preachers, young and old, filled with zeal, move to communities where they are certainly
needed to work with small congregations to help them become spiritually strong[er] and to help them grow by
seeking the lost. But, in order to do so outside financial support is needed. Yet, the support needed is rarely
able to be raised, hence many areas, in our own country, are facing a dearth of the word of God. But why is
the money not raised? Is it because it is not available? That cannot be concluded, for many financial
statements have been observed showing just how much money is available. In addition, many speak of how
much money certain congregations have upon which they “sit.” Proof of the available money was seen after
hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. The money donated from brethren (not speaking of the unscriptural
disaster relief effort) is estimated in the hundreds of thousands. In fact, the congregation where I labor, in
Morgan City, LA, had more than $20,000 pass through our hands, which was distributed to those in need. So,
then, the money is obviously available.
I recently heard of a congregation leaving its well-equipped building to build another costing more than
$1.5 million, which will be paid in full over the next 5 years. Another congregation just spent $5,000 having
parking lines painted in their parking lot. Yet another is said to have sent $10,000 to help some needy
families. One of the most disheartening of all was hearing of a congregation who spent $50,000 on a
PowerPoint set up, including large dual screens, a remote laptop computer and large display mounts. Yet,
when elders were approached to support a mission field as little as $100.00 per month, they said, “It does not
fit into our budget.” Brethren, $100.00 per month totals $1,200 per year. They spent $50,000 on a
PowerPoint system, which could have supported this mission field for a total of about 40 years at $100.00 per
month! Now, I am not saying that sometimes new buildings are not needed, or that helping those in need is
not a good work; but I am suggesting that there is a far greater need than hurricane relief—saving the souls
of the lost, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt 16:26). If saving the souls of the lost is the most important thing
there is, why are so many doing so little to help this matter? Is it because we are too busy building cathedrals
and updating carpet? Alexander Campbell sarcastically wrote, “How much better is this sum laid up in brick
and mortar than spent in missionary projects…[some] prefer [a] steeple to six hundred, three score and six
souls” [1831, p.23].
The congregation where I serve barely stays afloat. At one point we even went into the negative in our
bank account. Our members give beyond their means, and make great sacrifices to continue working for the
cause of the Christ. This is the only sound congregation in a 150-mile radius, and we are continually knocking
doors and do all we can to bring the good news to those in need. Recently a cry for support sounded forth
from our humble lips, and only a small, very small, number responded. After Katrina we didn’t even ask and
received many checks for large sums. We were even being contacted by brethren from Canada, Arkansas,
Texas and even places as far away as Rhode Island. Now, with a greater need, we ask and receive little to
assist the greatest work that could be done. Perhaps brethren think large foyers and high ceiling auditoriums
is more affective to save souls and more needed that the support of mission fields?