Is It Scriptural for the Church to Raise Money Through Selling Food, Car Washes, Sponsored Events, or Other Business Activities?
As with any other topic, subjects like this can get complicated because it seems so inconsequential compared to some of the other major problems we face in the modern world. Some might say, “Don’t you know that there are wars and religious conflicts, etc and this is what you want to focus on?” The problem is this. In war, crime becomes a nuisance, not nefarious. The same is true with concepts like these. They might seem small because we have “Bigger fish to fry”, but this does not mean that the Lord does not take these things seriously. With that being said, let’s consider the concept here. Before dealing with any controversy or separation from the examples God gives, we must first recognize what the Lord said. When it comes to raising money for the church, it has always been based on a freewill offering. There is no tax system in the church, and it is based on the selflessness and commitment of the individuals. This can be challenging in our society that tends to be a little more stingy with its funds. This has led some churches to find “alternative ways” to fund their works, buildings, staff, etc. God taught through the pen of the apostle Paul the example for raising money for the works of the church.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me
(1 Corinthians 16:1–4).
This gives us a primary example of what we are discussing. The circumstance was the collection “for the saints.” This is specifically church work. Paul says on the first day of the week (the day given for worship to God and gathering of the church) let each one of you (each individual, no one left out) lay something aside (save, set aside) as he may prosper (this is based on the individual's ability).
God did not just set a flat tax that says. Alright, everyone gives 20%. Rather, God in His wisdom accounts for the various circumstances, sufferings, and wealth of the congregation. There are a couple of points of note here. First, this was meant to be an individual sacrifice, not an exchange of goods. David, when offered Ornan’s threshing floor for the temple to be built, said he would not accept. He did not want to provide anything to the Lord that had not cost him something (cf. 1 Chronicles 21:23-25). This attitude is one that a Christian is to have regarding his life to God. Romans 12:1-2, as we’ve mentioned in other sections, tells us that we are to be a living sacrifice. Literally, a constant sacrifice. This does not mean that we have to give up everything that we have, but it does mean that God expects us to put our trust in Him when we make sacrifices, trusting in the promises that He gave us to care for us as we have need (cf. Matthew 6:33). Sacrifice has always been an aspect of worship to the Lord. Starting in the book of Genesis, one can find Abel and Cain offering sacrifices to the Lord as part of their worship (cf. Genesis 4:3-4). Noah offered sacrifice to the Lord after the ark rested on Mount Ararat (cf. Genesis 8:20), Abraham offered sacrifices after Isaac was spared (cf. Genesis 22:13), so on and so forth.
God hasn’t changed in His desire for sacrificial worship, and this is shown in the establishment of congregational giving:
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
(2 Corinthians 9:6–9)
God shows through this passage that we are to give not in a grudging manner, but rather to be focused on the needs of others, a principle shown again in Galatians 6:2. With all of this being said, how does this connect with the overall topic? If God has given us a means by which we are to raise funds or the necessary things to further the gospel, then any other means falls outside the authorized method. Beyond this, one must recognize that sacrificial giving is not supposed to be transactional.
If one pays for a plate of food or gets their car washed, they have given nothing. They made an exchange. Now, some might say, “Wait, the Christians in Acts 2 sold their goods and gave that money to the church. What’s the difference?” The difference is that the money is still theirs. In Acts 5, after Peter confronts Ananias about his lie, Peter states: “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:4). Peter acknowledges that the funds were in the hands of Ananias, not the church. The ultimate problem is not how Christians raise money, but how the church does. God gave an explicit command that we are to give on the first day of the week, and that we are to care for our brethren (James 1:27). None of this is to say that those who practice these things are intentionally breaking the commands of God. Many individuals practicing bake sales, pickle ball tournament, etc are likely doing this with the best of intentions. However, we must recognize that we are not running a public school or local social club. The church falls into a totally different category. As Christians, we should seek the means by which we can continue the work of the Lord within His authority. If we stray from His authorized methods, we cannot claim to be doing work in His name.
