Continued from previous issue.

Because spiritual fruit and deeds are often used synonymously, I think people are often mistaken on what true fruit is. Yes we should show love for our fellow man, yes we should witness to others, yes we should serve God in as many ways as we can, but I think that is only one kind of fruit. I think the other kind is evidence of our true faith. Do we truly trust God?

Many of us will say that we trust God and we will quote verses that show that every thing works together for good of those who love God. That is great, we should stand on those promises but if we don't also put that faith into action then it is useless faith. For instance do we worry over every little thing that happens in our lives? Do we show by our concern about our jobs and our material things that we don't really trust God?

Do we trust God with the big things; like our eternal home, but not trust Him in the little things; like our jobs and our finances? What are we saying if we don't trust God in the little things and the big things? Aren't we saying that we don't believe He cares enough about us to look after those things too? What a slap in the face to God who has shown His love for us, not trust Him to take care of the little things in our lives.

It is not just as individuals that we should show faith and trust to God. What about as a church? You will often hear faith and trust taught from the pulpit these days. Many pastors will tell their congregations that they should trust God with their money. God should get His tithe first and then the person should pay the bills.

After all don't we (the congregation) trust God to provide? Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against this kind of teaching, I think it is very biblical. My problem comes when the church after exhorting the congregation to trust God, shows by the actions they take that they (as a church) don't trust God. 

Let me give you a couple of examples. You have a church that preaches tithing and trusting God to provide, even when you can't by human eyes see how He can accomplish it. People are told that God can do anything and that He will provide for them and that they can believe that because God has proven His love for us all. Sounds great doesn't it, that is until the church needs something. What is the first thing the Elders and Pastors do? 

Is it pray and trust God, or is it preach another tithing sermon in the hopes that people will feel guilty and give money? Or do they come right out and preach about supporting the church and then give the needs and the amount needed to meet those needs?

Where is their faith in God? God says that He does not need our money, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. I am not saying that it is wrong for a church to tell the congregation of the monetary needs, I am saying that it is a matter of the heart. Do the church leaders trust God? Do they know in their hearts that God will provide, or are they trying by their own power to provide the money for whatever need there is? No matter how charismatic a pastor is does he think that by asking people to give he has more influence then if he just quietly prayed for God to provide?

If so then maybe he should go to the congregation with his pleas and let just one person in the congregation pray that God will hold back the money and see who has the most power. I cannot think of a pastor who would take that challenge, but I have to wonder why not. If they don't trust God enough to provide why would they fear Him enough to believe He might withhold the money? I am speaking about a heart condition and only God can really know the true condition of anyone's heart, but our actions can sure show an approximation of our heart condition. As I said it is not wrong for a church to approach the congregation with financial needs, but it is wrong if they try to get the money needed by their own power of persuasion.

Again I think that is an offense to God. It shows that we don't trust Him. Here is a final passage I want to discuss: (Romans 14:23 NIV) But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Now Paul was speaking about people's freedom in Christ to eat anything they want. Nothing is considered unclean to the Christian, but I think we could and should apply this verse in some further ways.

Paul says that even though it is not wrong to eat any food, if the person who eats does not believe that (have faith) then it is wrong, because anything done without faith is sin. So even though it is not wrong for a church to approach the congregation with financial needs, if it is done because of lack of faith in God, is it sin?

The same question would be good to ask ourselves in our everyday walks with Christ. Are we acting in faith or are we sinning against the One who plainly says He will provide for us? (Matthew 6:25-34 NIV) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? {26} Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. {30} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. {34} Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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