A denominational organization just endured a time of testing. Critics said it was “woke” and took money from a liberal icon whose name is anathema to conservatives. An independent researcher found that 98 percent of funding came from the denomination, and the remaining two percent from individuals, not including this icon. The charge couldn’t be proven, yet the charge was oft repeated.
Of course, the accusation implied that contributions meant control.
This episode brings up the age-old question about “tainted” money: had this person given money to a conservative organization, would it be wrong to keep it and it and use it for their purposes?
The debate reminded me of a man I met while teaching in a state prison. He was convicted of drug smuggling. He didn’t deny his conviction and even told me how he transported drugs across the border (note to law enforcement; check the fender wells). But he told me he was always active in his church and tithed his drug money!
I don’t know if the church or pastor was aware of his occupation—I wish I’d gotten over my shock and asked him to explain more. But it’s the same quagmire. Must the church turn down money from sources deemed immoral?
A fictional case study is known mobster Gino Fish contributing to Sister Mary John’s children’s shelter in the “Jesse Stone” series.
One aspect of the argument is that church leaders aren’t to know what parishioners give since this is a matter between the giver and God. Some ministers ask the financial officer to share a general idea of faithful givers when leaders are being chosen. In these cases it’s only the person who prepares giving records who knows details.
I can remember only one time a church leader urged me to show favoritism to people known for their wealth. He said they had kept the church afloat and previous pastors had shown them favor. I simply smiled sweetly, but thought in my heart of hearts the pastor should offer friendship to everyone despite their checkbook.
Peter Menek, a retired pastor, taught a boys Sunday School class when I was a teenager, and was a mentor to me as a young pastor. He told about a local moonshiner who asked if he could give money to the church. Mr. Menek said he took it and replied, “The devil has had this money too long!”
I suppose individual churches must decide for themselves how carefully to investigate the source of contributions.
However we do this we must try to maintain the integrity of giving as between Christians and God since Jesus taught us not to “blow a trumpet” to announce our gifts (Matthew 6: 1-4).
