Blessed to Bless

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 

-The Bible (Matthew 21:12-13)

Truth be told, I've never been a big fan of City Harvest Church. The wealth unsettles me and the whole operation just makes me uncomfortable. I remember one time many years ago I attended their service and the whole worship atmosphere is like one huge sleek concert. Of course it is, there's one huge DISCO BALL hanging in the middle of the congregation for crying out loud.

The opulent decor leaves me cold. I recall vaguely someone saying that this is to show other people the rich blessings God has given the church. Really? Because I thought using the money for, oh I don't know, FEED THE POOR, SPONSOR A <INSERT DISABILITY> CHILD, SUPPORT MISSIONS WORK, would be more effective to show how God has blessed the church. But what do I know?

Pastors and office workers by right don't earn that much. They are not poor people per se, just enough to survive and buy normal things normal people buy. They certainly don't have millions of dollars lying around to finance their spouse's music career (and what a career!). Any person with a brain know something's up.

For me it was never about the legality of their action; It's more about the rightness of how funds have been managed. Just because the members are willing to set up a fund to support the pastor's wife's music career doesn't mean you have to oblige them on it. Geez. It's like saying some members want to start a fund to buy a Lamborghini for the pastor's son because they heard he just got his license and wanted that car and the pastor LET THEM give him one. By the way, I don't buy into the spiel saying the music career is suppose to reach out to the non-christians and is considered missions work. *rolls eyes* Seriously? You don't need me to explain how stupid that explanation is right?

A normal pastor should say, "I'm touched by your generosity but we believe the money should be put in better use in a more tangible way. Like FEEDING THE POOR, SPONSORING A <INSERT DISABILITY> CHILD, SUPPORTING MISSIONS WORK." But NNnnooooo.

I know there are other christians who are taking the stance that we should not judge them so harshly and be loving in our rebuke. 

I agree. 

As long as there is rebuke. 

I don't know if other church leaders ever said anything to Pastor Kong Hee or his team about their concerns. If there are any. Perhaps no one said anything because no one sees anything wrong (not likely) or maybe no one dared to offend and appear nosey (highly likely) or maybe they are guilty of doing the same thing but on a smaller scale (yikes!!!). 

But now that the law is taking action, maybe we as fellow brothers and sisters in christ should be somewhat relieved that something is being done; That at the very least, a level of awareness is brought out to the public. If nothing else, the CHC team should now be more prudent in how they use the tithes and offerings (one can hope). 

My point is, all of us are guilty by not saying anything and doing something about it. How many of us are comfortable with how CHC manage their funds? Yet how many people actually went and have their voices heard? If saying harsh things online is tearing down the body of Christ, not doing anything to stop fellow christians (or false prophets, take your pick) from doing damaging stuff is even worse.

I acknowledge that no church has the authority to tell another church the right and wrong way how to run things. But surely an email from a concern leader to another, offering some feedback is not asking too much? Just so you know, I am painfully aware how apathetic I am about it too. Even as I write this, I endeavour to be more pro-active (and in a nice way). Even if CHC (or any other church) don't heed well meaning concerns, at least we've done our part and the burden of action and accountability lies with them. 

I just hope no one gets too traumatized and reject God because of what men has done.