The Church And The Red Cross
The writer has had frequent requests to say something about Christians helping the defense work through the Red Cross. It is claimed that the churches need some guidance and instructions so that they may fill their mission. It shows a splendid disposition for churches to want to do something good. There is something wrong with church members when opportunities are offered to help some one, but there is no disposition on the part of any to render that assistance needed. In these times of distress and tribulation there is need for a restudy of God's way of helping any cause. Overzealous and misguided brethren are likely to do things without giving proper thought to the way of doing them that will honor and glorify God. Sisters and mothers who have brothers and some in the army are anxious to do everything that they can, and are likely to disregard God's instructions to them.
The Church
God has ordained that his glory shall come through the church. "Unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever." (Eph. 3:21.) The church is the institution through which "the manifold wisdom of God" is to "be made known" to all generations. (Eph. 3: 10, 11.) We read in the New Testament that the early churches were instructed to help those who were members of the church and in need. (1 Cor. 16: 1-4; Rom. 15: 26; 2 Cor. 8: 1, 2, 18, 19.) We find that churches made contributions and sent the help to "the brethren that dwelt in Judaea," and this was sent "to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11: 29, 30.) Again, we learn that churches helped Paul as he preached the gospel. Paul said to the church at Philippi: "No church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need." (Phil. 4: 15, 16.) We also read that the church helped its own members who were in need. (Acts 6: 1-4.) "For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need." (Acts 4: 34, 35.)
To sum up the matter of giving and receiving, it seems that we can say that Christians are to do good as opportunity is offered them. We have examples in the New Testament of (1) churches helping other churches (Acts 11: 29, 30), (2) churches helping individuals (Phil. 4: 15, 16), (3) churches helping their own members (Acts 4: 34, 35; 1 Tim. 5: 3-12), (4) individual Christians helping Christians in need (1 John 3: 17), (5) Christians helping those who are not Christians (Gal. 6: 10). Christians are to do good unto all, and helping those who are in distress is a good work. We do not find any example of a church that has sent help to who were not Christians. The church as a church has not functioned that way; if so, we have no record of it in the New Testament. It seems that if one Christian could help those in distress who are not Christians, a church could do the same. This point should not be pressed, since we have no New Testament example of it. We do not have any example or instruction of the church or one church helping any cause through some other institution or organization.
The Red Cross
There are different religious organizations, semi-religious organizations, and worldly organizations which function to help relieve the distressed portion of humanity. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, Hebrew Association, Knights of Columbus, etc. are organizations which function for the good of mankind. The question that disturbs Christians is: Can these be used by churches of Christ and Christians to help relieve the distressed. Of course all that is done through these organizations give glory and honor to the human organization. The human organization that receives contributions and help from individual Christians or congregations of Christians gets all of the honor and glory. The ones receiving the help through these organizations do not give the individual Christian or the church any glory for the help received. Some of these organizations have been designated by the government to receive contributions and distribute help where it is needed. Oftentimes an individual Christian or a church cannot reach the distressed without doing so through one of these human organizations. What should be done in such cases?
During the present emergency pressure is brought to bear upon all to help through the Red Cross. What should churches and Christians do in the present emergency? This is the point that needs to be made clear in the minds of all. Christians should be sure that they are understood in their attitudes and answers to this question. They should not discourage those who are not Christians from contributing through these agencies to help the distressed. Christians should point out, if necessary, to those who may ask them that they are following the New Testament in doing good in the name of Christ. There is no objection to the Red Cross nor any other human agency that the world may use to get relief to the distressed. They are of the world; the world has a right to use them in distribute help to the needy. So it should be made clear that Christians are not opposed to the Red Cross. What answer should be given?
The Answer
It seems clear to the writer, in of the Scriptures cited above, that no elder nor set of elders should use the church to fund the work through one of these human organizations. There is no New Testament example for such, and no instruction a church to use any of the church funds through such organizations. Furthermore, many congregations are divided in sentiment as to whether the church as a church should help relieve any distress through a human organization. Now, since there is no scriptural example, neither any scriptural instruction, for such, and the church is divided in sentiment — that is, some members believing it should be done and others conscientiously opposed to it — it is wise and best to leave the church out of the picture entirely. The matter of relieving the distressed in the present emergency should be left to the individual Christian.
If we put the matter on this basis, all who can conscientiously contribute through the Red Cross or some other agency can do so without disturbing the peace and unity of the church. Those who can contribute through these human agencies, and think that the Scriptures justify them in doing so, can contribute as liberally and as frequently as they wish without disturbing anyone. They are responsible to God for their acts, and should be left free to do as they wish in this matter. Those who cannot conscientiously, in the light of New Testament teaching, should not be forced by elders or anyone else to do so. If they cannot contribute through the Red Cross without violating their own conscience, then why should elders or anyone else attempt to force them? They are free under God to act and be responsible for their act. The elders should not take the funds contributed by members who are opposed to doing such work through the Red Cross and give it to the Red Cross. The elders of the church should want to keep the peace and harmony of the church, and should make it clear to all others that the church as a church is not functioning in this matter. It may be that those who cannot contribute through the Red Cross can find a way that they can conscientiously do good. Let them be free to so act.