Ban Preacher Greed!

Church Differences	EARLY CHURCH	MODERN CHURCH
Financial Contributions	FREE WILL offerings taken for the needy only, no tithing (2 Cor.9:7).  No building projects to fund. Members met in private homes (Rom.16:5; I Cor.16:19; Col.4:15)	Tithing aggressively taught.  Non-tithers publicly shamed.  Money provides pastor’s perks, building fund, landscaping, exciting programs, etc.
Pastoral support	Freewill giving, leadership sometimes worked on side (2 Cor.11:9; I Thes.2:9)	Leadership supported mainly through tithes, often live lavishly.
Church Authority	Elders taught and led by example, but all related to one another as brethren (Matt.23:8; I Pet.5:3).  Only ONE Lord (Eph.4:5).	Heirarchy of MANY lords run the institutional church, from senior pastor all the way down to the deacon.
Giving & Receiving	EQUALITY of well-being preached by Paul (2 Cor.8:13-15).  All to have the same care one for another (I Cor.12:25).	Poor pew members support rich clergy.  Pastors drive fancy cars, take exciting holidays, and never stop begging for more.
Fellowship	DAILY they fellowshipped and broke bread from house to house.  Christians shared possessions and looked after everyone’s well-being. (Acts 2:42-47)	Churches divide into little cliques which some can’t fit into.  Lonely folks leave  church to try to save their faith.  People say “hello” once a week and that’s it.  Occasional potluck meals, plays, concerts, etc.
Attitude toward poor	Compassion, in most cases (James 2 rebukes certain ones for favoring the rich).  Jesus never asked for money for Himself, only for the poor (Mark 10:21). Jesus called the poor blessed and said they ALREADY possessed the kingdom of Heaven (Luke 6:20).	Neglect, sometimes scornful blame for not “sowing enough seed”.  Poor depicted as faithless second-class believers and failures who don’t live like King’s Kids. Every man for himself. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.  God helps those who help themselves.
Church Ministry	EVERYONE had something to contribute to service (I Cor.14:26; Eph.4:16).  No mention of pulpits, pews, etc.  The word “congregation” appears only in Old Testament, except for a gathering of Jews in Acts 13:43.  Clergy-laity divide didn’t exist in early church.	“Pew saints” only pray, pay and obey. Ministry done mostly by pastor, visiting speakers and “song leaders”.  Congregation are mostly spectators. Even some Charismatic churches discourage spiritual gifts out of fear of offending visitors.
Evangelization	Repentance toward God and faith toward Christ preached as ONLY basis for reconciliation with God and acceptance by Him (Acts 20:21).  Preaching done in demonstration of the Spirit and  power (I Cor.2:4-5). Real faith bore witness  of Christ (Rom.1:8)	Unconditional love of God toward all men preached, without mentioning “the wages of sin is death” (Rom.6:23). Sinners entertained, not warned. Positive messages only. Hell and God’s wrath against unrepentant sinners seldom mentioned. Powerless sermons, catchy clichés, 7 keys to prosperity, ABC faith formulas, slick marketing.
Moral Leadership	Christ’s under-shepherds commanded to be husband of ONE wife and set example for godly living (I Tim.3:2,12; Titus 1:6-9)).	God wants preachers to be happy regardless of who gets hurt.  Repeated divorces and remarriages. Double standard. Single mothers in congregation often shunned instead of loved and helped.
Ministry Qualifications	Same as above. I Pet.5:2 forbids getting into the ministry for money.  Verse 3 frowns on spiritual dictators.  Preachers must lead by example.  Humility and purity of heart a must.	Personal magnetism, good looks, beautiful face, sexy figure, expensive attire, success as an author or seminar speaker. An honorary (unearned) title of “Doctor” doesn’t hurt.
Giving of Alms	Peter didn’t rebuke lame beggar for asking for alms (Acts 3).  Peter and John truthfully said they had no money.  But they did get the beggar healed.  Paul collected donations for needy churches (Rom.15:26; 2 Cor.8:7-15).	Only half-hearted prayer support usually given needy Christians.  It’s cheaper. Preachers are biggest beggars in church.  They solicit unscriptural money tithes for a new car or vacation. But poor tithe-payers can’t get help with heating or rent.
Definition of Church	The Body of Christ, comprised of many members gifted by the Spirit of God to edify one another in love and allow the life of Christ to minister in and through them as they gather together (I Cor. Chap.12).	Actions speak louder than words.  Church is mainly a social club for affluent people who love only those like themselves.  Or, “church”  could mean just the fancy building the sheeple meet in.