"I Want A Non-Participating Faithful Membership"
The above title appears to convey the attitude more than a few brethren have. These brethren do not usually, if ever, verbalize the title of this article, but nevertheless many seem to believe they can be inactive in the Lord's church and yet be faithful at the same time. Such thinking is more than harmful - it is sinful.
Brethren need to be taught, or in some cases, reminded of the fact that a "Non-Participating Faithful Membership" is an inconsistency. One is either a faithful active member of the Lord's body or an unfaithful inactive member. After all, Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me: And he that gathereth not with me scattereth" (Luke 11:23). Notice Christ's words in Matthew 6:24: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Some Christians seem to think they can be faithful and yet skip church services. Is it not sinful to allow other things to interfere with regular and consistent attendance (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1, 2; Hebrews 10:25)? There are many brethren in this spiritual condition who need to repent before it is too late.
Other brethren believe they can be faithful and seldom, if ever, visit the sick or erring members. No doubt, they assume the preacher and elders are to do that for them. Brethren who have such an attitude need to read and heed Galatians 6:9, 10: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
What about members who do very little personal work and yet they want to be known as faithful members? Such is an impossibility. All brethren need to clearly understand that all Christians are to teach the word to the lost. Two examples in the great book of Acts are found in Acts 8:4, "when Aquilla and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."
How sad it is to know that other brethren think they can be faithful and yet have an indifferent attitude about their contribution. It is very evident that contributions go up and down week after week in most congregations. There would be more consistency if all brethren would obey 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 that says we are to give "as God hath prospered him," and 2 Corinthians 9:7 that says we are to give as we purpose in our heart for "God loveth a cheerful giver."
How does God view your spirituality? Are you truly faithful in life and service to God? Do you think you can be non-active and still be considered faithful to God? Do you examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5)?
May God help all of us to realize if we are going to please him we must give diligence to "make our calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). If we fail to do this, we fail our God and lose our soul as well.
From Our Archives, 1994
By: Bubba Phillips