Where In The Bible Will I Find:

Contributing To An Unscriptural Organization?

The season of bell ringers on the street corners and at department stores asking for money is now upon us. Should we give to them? The World Book Encyclopedia (Vol. 17, 1976, p. 74), says, "The Salvation Army is a world wide Christian religious body with semi military structure." It was founded in 1865 by William Booth a former Methodist minister in England.

They teach salvation by faith only, they do not baptize as Jesus commanded, but have a religious ceremony where converts walk under their flag and the National flag of the host country. Although they do many good things for the poor, flood victims and others, their good works are no excuse for their false doctrine.

We are not to give our funds or time to those who propagate religious error. We must not assist them in any way nor are we to bid them Godspeed. The Holy Spirit has said, "...If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (of Christ] do not receive him unto your house, neither bid him Godspeed" (II John 9-11).

This is also true of the work by the Roman Catholic nun known as “mother Theresa." Also, again the Masonic Lodge does a lot of good works of benevolence, but it is a false religious organization and therefore Christians are not to participate in any way with it. The Masonic textbook, entitled "Tennessee Craftsman" lists the first prayer of the lodge invoking the promise of Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Masons do not apply this to Christ and two or more of His disciples, but to members of the lodge (p. 1). Masons honor Hiram abif not Christ. Christ's name is never allowed to be mentioned in the Masonic Lodge. God's people cannot support the Masonic Lodge anymore than they can support any other human religious organization.

Jesus taught us to be a giving people even as it is written, "Give to him who asks you and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away" (Matt. 5:42), and again He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Yet, we must not be gullible and give in such a way as to support error or give to con-men or to those who will not work. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "Even when we were with you, we commanded you that: if anyone will not work, neither should he eat" (II Thess. 3:10).

It is too bad that this commandment is not carried out today. When we give to the wrong people we limit our opportunities to help the truly needy such as widows, orphans and the commandment we have to preach the gospel to every creature in every country (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). We may not be able to go and preach ourselves, but with our funds, we can send those who are able to go and preach in other countries.