Woe To You Scribes And Pharisees - Part 4
If someone were to make a list of right and wrong things that churches do, it would astound you to realize how much gets done in this county on the backs of the churches.
Woe To You Scribes And Pharisees - Part 4
Matthew 23:14a
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses...”
If someone were to make a list of right and wrong things that churches do, it would astound you to realize how much gets done in this county on the backs of the churches. Feeding the needy, housing the homeless, ministering to the lost, caring for children, and giving hope to underdeveloped peoples around the world; these are just a few of the great things churches do. It’s interesting, though, to note that the Bible singles out one specific group as “most worthy” of help.
James 1:27
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.”
God makes it clear that He wants us to care for those who are most in need. To a church, that is a widow and her children. Now, read that verse at the top again. The leaders being condemned by Jesus were guilty of the most despicable type of greed and hypocrisy. They were getting wealthy on the backs of those who needed help the most.
The church can never, never, NEVER become confused about this part of its mission. Caring for others is the very heart of the Gospel. It’s why Jesus came to earth. Luke 4:18 tells us that He came for the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed.
The church is commanded to help others. This is God’s heart. When the church fails at this basic task, people suffer. A feeble church results in a world of misery. When church leaders become the problem rather than the answer, God’s anger demands justice.
Tomorrow: faking it in church.
