Ask Not What the Church Can Do for You

     John F. Kennedy once said, “And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for country,” This is truly one of the great quotes in the history of our young country.

     Such an outlook is so important for the success of a country. Citizens who try to “milk the system for all it is worth,” are a disgrace to their country. Their selfishness and slothfulness becomes a plague to the rest of humanity.

     The perspective we view things from makes all the difference in the world (and in the church!). From time to time you hear someone say, “Well, I sure did not get anything out of that service.” Perhaps such a person should have come seeking to give and not just receive. The idea of coming to worship (which means “to bow or kiss toward”) and then complaining about what you did not receive is very misguided. There is a lack of understanding of the nature of worship. In fact, the truth is, the person who gives the most is the one who will receive the most! (see Lk. 6:38). 

     Others might say something like: “The church really does not offer me much.” The most important (and biblical) question is, “What do I offer the church?”

     Jesus taught that it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). This kind of perspective makes for a great church. Obviously, the church is to seek the welfare of its members, but perhaps we should remember who the church is… us! It is not about what the church can do for me, it is about what I can do for the church!

Daren Schroeder