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It’s that time of year again. You know…cold weather, Christmas decorations, long shopping lines, and “soldiers” in the Salvation Army standing at the entrance of nearly every major shopping area. These dedicated soldiers brave the cold while ringing a little bell, as they solicit donations to help the needy.
These red kettles are responsible for collecting approximately $150 million dollars each year to provide food, clothing, and shelter to the less fortunate. Such good deeds appeal to our sense of benevolence at a time when we are feeling particularly benevolent. Surely there would be no harm in making donations to these tireless workers who are willing to endure the cold winds of December, or is there? Through the years, people have asked me how they should respond to these door-greeters. The following is my advice.
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William Booth, a Methodist preacher. Booth believed that God had called him to minister to the outcast. His philosophy was “Soup, Soap, and Salvation.” Booth believed that a person who was hungry or in need of a bath would not be interested in the gospel of Christ until those needs were met.
In the beginning, Booth intended for the people he reached with the gospel to return to their home churches, but he soon found these “converts” were unwelcome in their home churches, or unwilling to return to them. Therefore, in 1878, Booth and his wife Catherine, organized the “Salvation Army” as a new church denomination. Booth designated himself as General, his best leaders as lieutenants, captains, and majors, and faithful converts became soldiers.
Thus, the Salvation Army differs from other benevolent organizations such as “The Red Cross,” or “The American Heart Association,” etc. in that it is a church, a religious denomination. As a religious denomination, it teaches a perverted plan of salvation accompanied by many other doctrinal errors. Like all religious denominations, the Salvation Army does some good. But does the fact that the Salvation Army does some good, mean that we should support them? Do the ends justify the means?
Should a Christian, a member of the church that Jesus purchased with His own blood, support a man-made religious body, that rivals the Lord’s church? Should we support, by our donations, a false religious organization that teaches a false plan of salvation, which if followed, will result in people unknowingly remaining in their sins when they think they’re forgiven?
Don’t lose sight of this important point. An organization that feeds the stomach but starves the spirit is not truly helpful. I certainly don’t question their sincerity or their willingness to help the poor, but they have a zeal for God that is not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2).
Instead of doing our benevolence through a false, man-made church, why don’t we maintain a benevolent spirit, giving as we are prospered, and let Christ be glorified through His church (Ephesians 3:21)?
As the little bell is rung your direction during this holiday season, join me in politely saying, “I do my benevolent work through my local church.
Steve Higginbotham
Karnes church of Christ
Knoxville, TN