Attend church? Read this.

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Today's churches look and function quite differently than the church that Jesus asked Peter to establish almost 2,000 years ago. The Bible is clear on the mission of the church. However, throughout history, many pastors and churches have popped up and drifted towards a new mission, one that seeks: money, power, fame, glory, and material possessions above being content.

🧠Knowledge is power (depending on what you do with it). Here's my advice:

1. Read the Holy Bible Independently 📖

If you haven't read the Holy Bible from cover to cover for yourself, you wouldn't know if a church official was lying or misusing scripture for personal gain. The Holy Bible (Old and New Testament) can be read in 90 days or less. Take time to read it.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

2. Beware of Tithing Practices 💸

If a church insists on tithing, beware. According to Biblical context, tithes were given specifically to the Levites. God never mandated the church to collect tithes. The correct way for a church to solicit funds is by simply asking for donations.

But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. -Numbers 18:24 KJV

Note: Jesus instructed his followers on what to do with their resources in Matthew 25:31-46 KJV, which was a call to action for believers to directly help the poor, the homeless, the sick, and those in prison, if they are able.

3. Beware of a Lack of Financial Transparency 🔎

A trustworthy church should be open about its finances. Request access to financial statements to understand where donations are directed. Sometimes a church will have this information in its annual report from the previous year, so you can ask for that too if it's not publicly available on their website. Some churches already have more than enough, yet they continue to beg their members (many of whom are poor or living paycheck to paycheck) for more money.

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. -Proverbs 22:16 NKJV

In the Holy Bible, the apostles and the followers of "the way" were volunteers. They collected donations to provide for their modest, basic needs, and to help others, but they were not guaranteed a salary.

4. Beware of Commercialization 🏧

Churches with stores or ATMs on-site may be prioritizing profit over spiritual guidance. According to the Holy Bible, places of worship should be free from financial transactions, as seen when Jesus condemned money changers in the temple. Some churches even sell bibles, anointing oil, and sermons, which just isn't biblical. Nowhere in the scriptures did the early church permit such acts. The word of God was given out freely.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. -Matthew 21:12-13 KJV

5. Beware of Idolatry in Churches 👼🏻

Be cautious of churches that display false images of Jesus, the apostles, and angels in the form of pictures, sculptures, and window glass art, as these contradict biblical commands against idolatry. A genuine worship space should focus on spiritual reverence without distractions. The Holy Bible is clear on the consequences of idol worship.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” -Revelation 21:8 NKJV

6. Beware of Denominational Divisions ⛪

Notice how not one of today's church denominations is mentioned in the Holy Bible? There's a reason for that. The scripture's standard is for the church to be one body of believers.

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment -1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV

7. Beware of the Fruit of Church Leaders 📸✈️

There have been thousands of victims of abuse by the church in various forms, so attendees should always be cautious. Jesus himself gave a very clear warning about deceptive men of God, so if someone chooses to ignore it, they'll likely suffer the consequences.

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? -Matthew 7:14-16 KJV

A lot of today's popular pastors are more like motivational speakers and activists that just so happen to preach. What may have started as a sincere journey to feed souls hungry for the gospel gradually transformed into a business operation to help them obtain the luxuries of the world.

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. -2 Corinthians 11:14-15 NKJV

This is their fruit:

• Luxury vehicles

• Million dollar homes

• High-end designer clothes, shoes, and accessories

• Exquisite jewelry

• Lavish vacations

• Fancy dinners

• Private jets

• Networking with celebrities and the elite

• Lucrative, but shady business deals

• Loved by the world

• Their lukewarm church

  
  

So if you attend or support a church that is involved with any of the above mentioned shenanigans, you should feel comfortable questioning their leadership. If they are not willing to repent and live according to the high standard that the Holy Bible calls them to as shepherds, then you should leave. There is no benefit in staying in a lukewarm church.

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