“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
When Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 28:16 (known by Christian evangelicals as “The Great Commission”) I think of him as saying, in short: “Get ready, get set…go spread the good news!” So it is a bit interesting to see how, throughout history, Christianity has taken the polar opposite road. Because when Jesus spoke these words, I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to crusade and force people to become disciples. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean for people to carve idols and statues, paint images of him, and build ornate churches and temples, start an “-ity” or “-ism”. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to manipulate his teachings to fit religious dogma with varying interpretations that create warring denominations. And I could be wrong, but I’m pretty darn sure he didn’t mean to go out and exploit his name and teachings for profit. Ironically, whether today’s Christians wish to admit it or not, a very powerful, golden calf-like anti-Christ has been created, produced and reproduced.
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21: 12-13
Obviously, Jesus’ spree in the temple courts failed to make an impact, for the marketplace has only grown bigger and stronger, all in the name of profit and corporate religion and what is called “ministry”. There is still division, violence and prejudice and antediluvian traditions that have been perpetuated and clung to for generations…oh yes, and the poor, hungry, homeless and jobless are still among us.
It might be argued: “But our church has and supports programs and ministries that DO provide for the poor, hungry, homeless and jobless.” It sickens me a bit when I see corporate religious figureheads and charity representatives, smiling for the cameras while holding big oversized checks with their hefty donations. I’m perplexed at how some of these multi-million/billion dollar churches can boast in giving thousands, even millions of dollars to charitable organizations that claim to help the poor, hungry, homeless and jobless…yet the problem still not solved? Who’s doing the books, where is the money going? Is it going to those in need, or those in greed? Did Jesus say that the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) first had to set up a ministry, a corporate office, draw a salary and have usage of a company car or limo before helping the man that was beaten, wounded and left for dead on the side of the road to Jericho? Instead of throwing money at the problem (which obviously hasn’t been working)…maybe they could actually put on some grungy jeans, roll up their sleeves, open up those nice little “scripture of the day” Franklin Coveys, and actually schedule a little one-on-one time with the poor, hungry, homeless and jobless that isn’t a part of a photo op for the media.
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” Matthew 15: 7-9
I’ve often wondered about the concept of tithing. So many use the “render unto Caesar” argument, calling tithing the “render unto God” portion”…or maybe fear is instilled by referring to the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-20). My opinion is such that no one should feel compelled to blindly give, but how I’ve seen it unfold through the centuries, tithing seems to have become anti-Christ nourishment. In my article, “The Rock Market: In God We Trust”, I talk about my experience in helping a man buy groceries for his family. Hell, I don’t have much; I barely scrape by month to month myself. But when I cangive, I will give what I can. When I see someone in need, I’ll help the best that I can. There have been people in my life who have given and helped me, so it’s the very least I can do. Perhaps a redefinition of tithing is in order—a “golden rule” based concept that would actually make a direct, effective impact, inspiring more to pay it forward. No funneling into the vanity of corporate religions that decide where your money goes…no fear of death, unworthiness, guilt or “sinner” labels if you don’t or can’t pay tithing and could use that money to take care of yourself or your family.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25: 34-40
I do have a heart for people, but I also feel that hand outs do not help out. I would rather contribute to someone getting on their feet, make a difference in their life, help them find a renewed hope, rather than the possibility of contributing to a life of laziness and begging (or thieving) which only perpetuates depression, desperation, despair and discouragement. That, to me, is not the good news of Jesus (that is, thereal Jesus). I have a real respect for the “Good Samaritans” who give above and beyond, with no expectation of return. I have the utmost praise for ministries that could care less about the “denomination abomination” and open their doors with compassion, no matter who comes knocking.
I am fortunate that there are gifts that have been given to me – music, writing, and my passion for community media – that can and already do help many of those who are in need. If we could all think about what we’ve been given – our time, talents and resources – and could funnel them all into unconditionally loving and helping each other instead feeding a corporate religious, political machine, who knows what incredible changes could occur.
I know that there are those out there who might be indignant to what I’ve written, and might attempt to justify themselves or the various ministries they oversee or support. I won’t discount what any good a ministry might provide, but do challenge all in thinking about what God and which Jesus you really “render” to? Which Jesus would preach from a pulpit in a televised mega church, or assume to rule from a throne, scepter in hand…or pick a spot on a mountain or by a lake (Matthew 5-7)? Which Jesus would spend time among celebrities, rub shoulders and schmooze with the rich…or would humbly and quietly visit those in prison, in hospitals, at food banks, under bridges and overpasses? Which Jesus gives hope and encouragement…or profits off of despair and discouragement? Which Jesus would smile for the cameras…or give your temple court a good, swift cleansing? Which Jesus loves conditionally…or unconditionally?
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6: 1-8
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