Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Grow
It is common practice among churches large and small to cheat publishers of Christian material. For instance publishers provide “free” copies of books, music and other items to advertise their merchandise as well as encourage more variety in worship. At times purchases are given with free material as a bonus and if the material is returned the church may keep the free material.
Small and struggling churches keep the free material and reproduce it instead of buying smaller amounts and use one copy for two choir members or Sunday School classes. Somehow the people who practice this are able to “square it” with God because it is for His glory. No matter how thin you slice it, baloney is baloney and a thief is a thief (“Do not steal from your neighbor”).1 This practice is not limited to choir directors, music directors or teachers. Pastors have been known to dabble in such practices.
“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes
(Song of Solomon 2:15).”
Some publishers will allow some material to be copied where credits are given the authors or publishers. It is only common courtesy to make written request and receive permission. This may seem “only a small thing” but it is one of the little foxes that spoil and vines. It would seem “as long as it is for God” anything is permissible. What lessons are being taught by “good” Christian people that would be better left alone?
An honest mistake or an over sight may be forgiven but a deliberate intent to deceive is never acceptable to a righteous holy God. God will forgive if there is honest confession and repentance; but, He keeps good records. “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart (Psalms 44:21).”
Many churches are weak and struggling because they are not teaching the lesson that lying, cheating and stealing are right under the right circumstances; but, “God does not excuse sin neither does He hold it lightly” (anonymous).
“It is never right to do wrong to do right” (Dr. Bob Jones, Sr.). It is of a certainty that churches are weak because they are slipshod about all the little things that may not even occur to be very wrong. It’s better to make sure when dealing with the Lord of the Universe.
No one would argue that gross filial church indiscretions are strictly forbidden and will meet with strong corrective action; but, it is the small things that lead those who practice gross things to believe they may go unnoticed.
- If who one’s neighbor is difficult to discern see Luke 19:33-36; “A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
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