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Your King Has Come - Indelible Grace
David Tarkington, Pastor of First Baptist Orange Park, has refused to accept the offering of one of his members who won over $6 million in the Florida Lotto, and chose to give 10% of it to his church.
Was this appropriate? Was it justified? Was it biblical?
Why or why not?
Do you think this same pastor would reject an offering from one of his members who works for Walmart, a company which sells alcohol – a product which surely contributes to the income of the Walmart employee?
The following can be found on the Orange Park church web site under their statement of beliefs:
XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
QUESTION: Is that not exactly what this church member was attempting to follow? Was he not trying to give back a portion of that which God had blessed him with, for the glory of God and for the helping of others?
Who is this pastor to decide that this person’s gift is not good enough? This was not money from the operation of a crime. It wasn’t stolen or obtained through dishonest means, like other donations which may very well be obtained through the unseedy practices of many a “Christian” business owner.
Should this person’s gift have been rejected?
