Jesus did not die for the Rotary club, or any other organization. He was not ripped up, and beaten to save any type of organization or group in our culture today, other than the church!
So why is it that we as Americans invest so much of our time, money, resources, and talents into things that will make no eternal difference?
We have groups that are very nice groups, and do some great things, but in all seriousness God designs the church to do these things, too. Like feed and help the poor, help people get water, bring justice, etc. But the transforming thing about the church is that the Gospel is the CENTER of everything we do. Jesus is the focal point that makes the difference. Yet people don’t invest their time, money and talents in the church near as much as they do in other organizations.
Let me be clear. I’m not saying these groups and organizations are bad. I’m simply saying the church should be a Christians TOP priority when it comes to investing wealth and resources. So many people say, ‘Well there are a bunch of hypocrites at the church’, and I say YES, AND AMEN to that. But there are hypocrites at the Rotary Club, The Elks Club, The Boy Scouts, the Girls Scouts, and The Boys & Girls Club, yet no one makes a fuss about those groups. People say how wonderful and amazing these groups are. But when it comes to the church… well… it’s just something you do on Sunday mornings (if I don’t have anything else to do).
Look at what Jesus did for the church…
Ephesians 5:25-27 — “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
WOW! That’s big. He DIED for this organization. Why? Because it’s the MOST important group or organization on the planet. This is the group through which Jesus works.
So why is it that people invest MILLIONS of dollars, and man hours in all these other groups, but barley spend three hours a week in, at, and on the church?
Honestly, I think it’s because people don’t truly value the church. How can I say that? You will know what people find valuable in by what they invest their money, time, talents, and resources in.
The church is the ONLY origination that is doing something that will matter in 10,000 years. Yet CHRISTIANS still will allow other groups, places, and organizations to monopolize a majority of their time, talents and resources. What you did at the Boys and Girls club won’t matter in 200 years. Sure it’s a nice origination…but it’s not the BEST! That your kid could throw, hit, or kick a ball is not going to matter in terms of eternity. What will matter is if they REALLY knew who Jesus was/is. (Many don’t).
People will say that church is boring. Really? It will be as boring as you allow it to be. Read the book of Acts…they NEVER seemed bored to me. They lived in the light of this thing (the church) mattering.
Now, am I saying that you should stop helping at The Rotary (or any other group or origination)? NO!!! I am saying that the CHURCH should be at the top of a CHRISTIANS list of places that we invest our time, talent, and money in. Every other group should be number 2, 3 or 4.
Just think. What would YOUR church look like if your invested as much time, talent, and money as you did in all of those other places? WOW!!!
Not to mention…the reward would be ETERNAL in value. IS what you’re currently investing in going to matter in 10,000 years?
If your answer was no…then why are you investing in it now?
Plug into your church and do something that actually matters!