THE 401(c)(3) VS THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY

One group has status with the taxing authorities. The other group tends to be mobile, especially at the drop of the Roman sword.

One group loves ornate buildings. The other group loves to build up one another in love.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 4:16)

One group loves money and getting “rich” – (which the taxing authorities love too). The other group knows the meaning behind I Timothy 6:9 —

“Now, those intending to be rich are falling into a trial and a trap and the many foolish and harmful desires which are swamping men in extermination and destruction.”

I bring this topic up to show the true nature of things. And because in today’s world, you may need to walk away from all that you’ve once known, and hit the road.

By all appearances we’ve all stepped over some invisible line, and entered into an economic downturn that promises to be the mother of all depressions.

The early church knew a thing or two about getting out of dodge. The book of Acts if full of movement. But the movement was “of God”. (Romans 11:36)

Hold on to your hats, for today’s changes will be revealed to be “of God” as well.

The early church had to hit the road when persecuted by the religious leaders, the Romans in nice shiny uniforms, and some dude named Saul.

They also hit the road when God called them to spread the evangel.

The 401(c)(3) can’t go anywhere, figuratively and literally. The church which is His body is always on the move… and has the ultimate journey to make, to be put on display among the celestials.

Ephesians 2:6-7
6 and rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus,
7 that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Many years ago Eric Hoffer wrote a little book called THE ORDEAL OF CHANGE. In it, he describes how he once picked beans going up the California coast as a migrant worker. When been bean-picking season was over, he was to pick peas going down the coast. And he felt fear — not knowing if he could pick peas or not, he had never done it before… but he knew he could pick beans — it was “The Ordeal Of Change”.

The future may look bright. It it might look scary — either way, rejoice, for all is out of, through and for God. (Romans 11:36)

Grace to you, all of you.
ACE.