Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: I do not believe that it is scriptural for benevolent institutions to be supported out of the church’s treasury. As an individual, is it right for me to help such a home?

Reply: The Scriptures do not authorize churches to build and maintain any human institution, whether it be a school, a hospital or a benevolent home. This issue, along with others, has resulted in division among the Lord’s people. Faithful brethren oppose this practice because the New Testament does not authorize it. They oppose it on the same ground that they oppose instrumental music in worship. There is no scriptural authority for it. The issue of churches contributing funds out of their treasuries to human institutions has been discussed on the polemic platform several times, and as yet, the Scripture has not been produced that will authorize the practice. We do not question the sincerity of brethren who favor this practice nor those who are involved in it. Their motive is not the issue. The issue is: do the Scriptures authorize it? If all brethren would be guided by the Scriptures instead of human reasoning and sentiment, we would not have division over it.

There are some organizations which cannot even be scripturally supported by individuals. Even though they do much good, they nevertheless donate to unscriptural religious bodies such as the Roman Catholic Church; and for that reason alone, brethren with conviction will not contribute their money to them.

The last part of our question is: “As an individual is it right for me to help such a home?” The reference, of course, is to benevolent institutions as referred to in the first part of the question. If our querist means is it right to donate money to such a home in order to support and maintain it, the answer is “no”; for the reason that it is being financially supported by churches out of their treasuries, as well as by individuals. However, if our querist has in mind buying services from the home, the answer is “yes.” Churches and individuals may buy services from a utility company or purchase books and supplies from a Baptist bookstore. Such institutions have services to sell, and there is a vast difference in buying their services and in donating money to their support. No effort is made here to establish a parallel between the structures of benevolent homes and utility companies, etc. The point involved is the difference between making contributions to them and buying their services.

Churches in the New Testament did benevolent work by caring for the needs of saints for whom they were responsible (1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8,9; Rom. 15:26; etc.). They did not build and support benevolent institutions through which to do the work that God authorized them to do. When we all submit ourselves to the authority of the Scriptures, a “thus saith the Lord” in all matters of faith and practice, we shall have the unity for which our precious Lord Jesus Christ prayed (Jn. 17:20, 21).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, p. 261
May 7, 1987

By Irvin Himmel

When the Rich Are Poor and the Poor Are Rich

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath riches (Prov. 13:7).

It is paradoxical that some are rich, despite their poverty, and others are poor who five in affluence. There are people who are poor “because all they have is money!” And there are people who are rich, in spite of privation, “because they do not measure wealth by monetary standards” (George Kufeldt).

The Rich Are Poor

(1) When they do not use wealth to God’s glory. It is not to be supposed that wealth itself is an evil. Abraham was “very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold” (Gen. 13:1). Job had great substance (Job 1:3). Both these men were faithful servants of God. It is the failure to use wealth properly that makes people barren before God.

When a certain man asked Jesus to speak to the man’s brother about dividing the inheritance, Jesus warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Lk. 12:15). He spoke a parable about a rich man whose ground brought forth plentifully, but in his prosperity he thought only of himself and the accumulation of more and more goods. God said to the man, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?” Jesus remarked, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Lk. 12:21).

(2) When they trust in riches. The inclination of some people is to put their time, efforts, and powers into amassing a fortune. Money becomes their god. They rely solely on material prosperity. Jesus said to the disciples on one occasion, “Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mk. 10:24, 25).

(3) When they are spiritually miserable and empty. Behind seeming wealth there may lie spiritual poverty and wretchedness. This was the case with the church at Laodicea. The members of that congregation were saying, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” The Lord saw them as “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17). “Instead of being rich, as they thought and claimed to be, He declares that they are in a distressing condition, worthy of pity, having the cringing attitude of a beggar, unable to see, and without clothes to cover their shame” (C.H. Little).

The Poor Are Rich

(1) When they lay up treasurers in heaven. Just as Laodicea was the rich poor church, Smyrna was the poor rich church. The Lord said of the brethren at Smyrna, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich). . . ” (Rev. 2:9). Their destitution “was offset by a far greater wealth than silver and gold; they were rich in faith and favor with God and in all the attendant blessings of glory that belong to the heavenly citizenship. Their treasure was in heaven (Matt. 6:20), which is the true riches of life (Lk. 16:11) that cannot be touched by the world” (H. Hailey).

(2) When they are rich in faith. In the apostolic age, many Christians were in poverty and were victims of oppression by wealthy men. James said, “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?” (Jas. 2:6) He also said, “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?” (Jas. 2:5) One may be poor in temporal goods but rich in faith. This is to be rich in a higher and more important sense. To be an heir of God’s kingdom through the exercise of faith in Jesus Christ is more valuable than hoarding piles of gold and silver.

(3) When they abound in good works. After warning against the danger of riches and the love of money, Paul wrote, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:17-19). Any Christian can be rich in noble deeds, even if he is poor in worldly wealth.

(4) When thy possess the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in Christ. Paul taught that in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). The gospel makes known the hidden purpose of God that centers in Christ. Those who share in the eternal blessings provided in Christ possess all things. They are truly rich. Paul, in devoting his life to serving Christ and preaching the gospel, was “as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). In Christ we have riches that kings and princes do not bestow, that banks do not exchange, that misers do not hoard, and that thieves cannot steal.

Indeed, the rich (in material things) are often poor (spiritually), and the poor (in temporal goods) are sometimes the richest people on earth!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, p. 263
May 7, 1987

By Charles E. Davis

Paul, the apostle for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, said “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9, KJV). After participating in the recent historical debate, which occurred in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 21-22, 1987, between brother Hugh Manus and brother Ron Daly, I now more fully comprehend the above statement made by the apostle “called out of due season.” The Great God, who dwells above the azure blue, through His infinite mercy and providential wisdom, has opened a great door in the most highly neglected field in America. For too long, my brother, Black churches of Christ have been virtually impregnable to sound doctrine. Due to neglect, and an attitude of apathy, the Black churches of Christ have been for so long entrenched in liberalism.

I realize to many the issue of fellowship halls and church sponsored recreation may seem somewhat redundant. But there are literally thousands of Black Christians who have never heard the whole council of God on these vital issues. One reason being, is that Black preachers who embrace liberalism would never agree to a public discussion. This is why 95 percent of the Black Christians in America are liberal minded. But the highest praise be given to Jehovah, for a great door is now opened. Brethren, this debate is the vehicle through which many souls which are engulfed in liberalism will have access to the truth.

I am sure that many still doubt the effectiveness of a debate on the “issues” as was clearly evidenced by the lack of support from area congregations in Memphis who know the circumstances. We averaged 200 each night and we also received support from visitors from as far as Kentucky and Texas. Except for an occasional “amen” from the large number of liberal preachers, the audience was well behaved.

Brother Hugh Manus, who affirmed both nights, was pitifully weak in his argumentation. He was pathetically unprepared and lacked depth. On several occasions, brother Daly appealed to the other preachers in the audience to assist brother Manus. However, it became very apparent they too were shallow and lacked fortitude. Brother Daly kept the real issues before brother Manus and before the audience with his detailed charts. Brother Daly did a masterful job in presenting the truth in a forthright manner. After Brother Daly’s second negative, the crowd noticeably were in agreement with him and the truth. I am a little reluctant to project the overall effectiveness of this debate, but at least 15 people showed strong interest in future study and some have already publically denounced the social gospel.

Per our agreement, I was the general moderator for the last night of the discussion. I took that opportunity to read a set of propositions, which I also sent to brother Nokomis Yeldell, who preaches for the Vance Avenue congregation in Memphis, which challenges him to prove scripturally that the preacher is over the elder. Brother Yeldell has written a book entitled 77se Big Issue, in which he asserts that the evangelist is not under the oversight of the elders but rather he is equal in the authority of the elders. If brother Yeldell will accept my challenge, there could be another debate in Memphis before 1988.

For more information concerning the Daly-Manus discussion, please feel free to contact Ron Daly, P.O. Box 401, Millington, Tennessee 38053-0401 (901-873-4254) or contact Charles E. Davis, P.O. Box 40031, St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 (612-222 0872 or 645-0092).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, p. 267
May 7, 1987

By Jady W. Copeland and Robert A. Bolton

Wright Randolph was born to Henry Robert and Minnie May Randolph in the Nubia community (Taylor County), Texas on April 29, 1902 and departed this life in Greenville, Texas February 27, 1987. In June, 1924 he was married to Myrtle Huffman of Amarillo, Texas who preceded him in death March 29, 1964. A year later Wright married Ethel Cogdill in Canoga Park, California, a sister to the beloved Roy Cogdill. Wright is survived by his wife, Ethel, and a daughter, Jeanine Anthony of Pinole, California; two brothers, Layton of Van Nuys, California and Sidney of Vinita, Oklahoma; two sisters, Opal Bockman and Fay Britt both of Wichita Falls, Texas; four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Wright became a Christian at the age of 16 in Nubia, Texas being baptized by W. A. Schultz. Prior to 1931 he preached in various places by appointment and began full-time preaching in Spur, Texas and later preached in Slayton and Floydada, Texas; Clovis and Albuquerque, NM; San Bernardino, Santa Barbara (twice), San Pablo, Montebello and Canoga Park, California; Cincinnati, Ohio; Deming, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas and Lake Isabella, California. Bob Bolton says, “In addition, he was often used throughout the nation in gospel meetings, and as a gospel preacher, he was forceful yet humble, unique yet not peculiar, profound yet simple, and was highly loved and respected by his peers. We might not have always agreed with him, but we never for one moment doubted his conviction and faith in the divine authenticity of ‘the Book.’ One of his favorite passages, which was cited as his funeral, was Proverbs 23:23, ‘Buy the truth and sell it not.”‘

Robert A. Bolton of Richardson, Texas spoke at the funeral which was conducted at the building of the Southside church, Greenville, Texas on Sunday afternoon, March 1, 1987. Burial was in the Rose Cemetery in Hobart, Oklahoma.

Again Brother Bolton writes, “Brother Randolph believed with all of his heart that he was ready to pass over into the presence of the Lord and made it a point to impress this fact upon all. As I visited with him some 24 hours before he died, I said to him as I prepared to leave: ‘Wright, if we never meet again in this fife, I’ll see you in heaven.’ In his weakened condition, this 84 year old ‘soldier of the cross’ managed a faint smile and softly answered, ‘OK!’ He knew he was dying, yet faced his departure with hope.”

I (JWC) personally feel it quite an honor and privilege to have been asked by Ethel to submit this report, along with brother Bob Bolton, concerning Wright’s life and death. Wright was a Christian. He loved the truth and preached it just as he understood it. What more need be said? He was a good husband, and while I never knew him while his children were growing up, I am sure just as good a father. He was fortunate in that in his life he chose two of the finest ladies I have known as mates. Both Myrtle and Ethel along with Wright, were our dear friends, and we spent many happy and, I believe, profitable hours in their presence. Many hours on the golf course Wright and I have talked about a number of things, but much of the Bible, the church and the Lord. When brother Bolton writes, “We might not have always agreed with him, yet. . . ” reminds me of situations I have told many times in succeeding years. In the company with others, people would disagree with brother Randolph on Bible topics, and yet often before long I would hear of their asking Wright what the Bible said on various topics. They respected him as a Christian and as a Bible student. He was a good writer, and the first I knew of him was through his contributions to various papers. You never doubted his faith in God and the Bible as the word of God. Yet he was not afraid to say, “I don’t know.” I remember on one occasion while eating a snack on the golf course, I ask him about a difficult passage, and he said in effect, “I wish I knew.” I have noticed that the greatest Bible students I have ever known often said, “I don’t know.” That is not a mark of weakness; but a sign of honesty and candor. If one doesn’t have these qualities he can never know the Lord.

Our sincere sympathy to Ethel and the rest of the family. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, p. 277
May 7, 1987