Ministering Carnal Things

by Glen Young
 

The greatest detriment to the spiritual life of a local church is the inclination to accept the status quo without question. Spiritual strength comes from a burning desire to search “the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things” are the truth (Acts 17:11). Too often, collective actions are never questioned. It is as if historical practice gives a thing scriptural precedence. Nothing is further from the truth.

A case in point is the prevalence of what we shall call the social gospel. The social gospel has its roots in the religious theology which advocates “ministering to the whole man”.

The industrial revolution improved the lives of many. The improving of individual lives also brought about an increase in the revenue of churches. The increase in the wealth of individuals and churches emphasized the lives of poverty in which the majority of the world resided. It is here that main stream religion took up the battle cry of “minister to the whole man”.

The mid twentieth century saw this doctrine carried out with a vengeance. The evening news broadcast the freedom marches of the sixties replete with “reverends” arm in arm leading the way. It was common to see political rallies held in church buildings by the “reverends” of the particular churches. The reason for this political activism was to make the lives of an oppressed minority better.

In more recent times, the same thinking that got churches involved in political activism motivates churches to open soup kitchens, pantries, and organizations like Help Our Poor Exist (HOPE). Along the same lines, local churches build buildings with kitchens, fellowship halls, family life centers, and such things for the express purpose of “ministering to the whole man”.

It is argued by some that taking a bag of groceries to a poor family is a tool of evangelism. If that is true, why not just give them cash money to be baptized. It is the same principle.

It is admirable to have compassion on one’s fellowman. Paul’s words to the individual Christian are, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10). The individual work of the Christian is not the issue.

The issue is the belief that churches need to minister to people with carnal things. This places the emphasis on the things of this world. Is this where Jesus wants the emphasis to be?

The first thing we must acknowledge is that Jesus’ kingdom (church) is not of this world (John 18:36). We are pilgrims. We are just passing through. This world is not our permanent home.

Paul describes the kingdom as follows, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). There is no doubt that it takes food and drink to sustain physical life. However, the kingdom of God does not consist of carnal things but rather spiritual.

The local church at Corinth abused the Lord’s Supper, so Paul wrote to correct the problem. In part, He dealt with the problem by asking rhetorical questions. “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you” (1 Cor. 11:22). Paul is here showing that the carnal act of filling one’s belly with food was to be done separate and apart from the higher activity of taking the Lord’s Supper.

Last of all; consider the words of Jesus to some who followed Him. “Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him’” (John 6:26-27).

It is easy to get caught up in doing a thing because it has always been done that way. If we investigate, we might find that it is a recent innovation. The important thing is to go to Heaven at the end of this life. How can we make it to Heaven if our mind is on earthly things?

 

 

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