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Bro. Turner:
 Is
it scripturally permissible for a Christian to
buy or use products or services of a public service institution
which is owned operated and/or supported by a denomination or
liberal church? W.M.A.
Reply:
The
Lord's church does not sell or rent its services or products,
hence we need not expect to find scriptures regulating such an
operation. But churches wearing Christ's name may drift so far
from His way as to engage in such; and many human religions are
little more than social and eleemosynary societies. The
question, though quite practical, is not one I can answer with a
yes, or no. Each case has extenuating circumstances.
First,
we should distinguish between contributions (support gifts)
and paying for service or materials. Many hospitals,
schools, etc., receive donations from individuals, foundations,
and churches — because the donors "have a care" for
general welfare. Tuition or service charges are, therefore,
seldom the full cost. However, when we pay "market
rate" for what we receive, we should not feel we are
"donating" our money and in this way "jointly
participating" in the institution's program. On the basis
of "value received," I would buy a book from a
church-owned book store (although I believe the Lord's church
would not have such a store); but, I would not contribute funds
to the treasury of that store-owning church. As a general
principle, I do not believe "value received"
transactions with those in error are wrong.
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But
now we must do what some might call "hedging"; or
maybe we are saying there are principles more basic, more deeply
fundamental, than that which I called "general." It
was all right, as a "general principle," for one to
eat whatsoever was set before him, as respects meats (1 Cor.
10:25-31). But when that eating encouraged another to do
wrongly, for the other man's sake (v. 29, one should abstain
Whatever we do, it must be to the glory of God (v.31).
If
you have reason to believe that your patronage of a store,
school, or pie-sale is contributing to the promotion of error
— that by refraining, a contribution to truth and the glory of
God is made — then (putting God's glory and the good of others
above self) you should certainly abstain. The closer one gets to
"home" the more likely this situation is to obtain.
Example: you may do little if any harm in buying from a Catholic
institution; but buying pies at the liberal "Church of
Christ" in your neighborhood, could encourage brethren in
further sin. (Now, have a ball with that if you choose; but I
believe experience has proven it true.)
Then,
especially in matters such as these, we must recognize
individual conscience. One brother may, with good conscience,
buy services or substance from a church-supported organization,
believing no wrong is done. Another may be unable to so act,
feeling it is not to the glory of God nor for the good of his
erring brother. The line between "general principle"
and specific application is such as to warrant charity on the
part of all.
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