Gerald Weston on loving your neighbor, if you think you must

Gerald Weston and other COG leaders have been regularly taken to task for running insular churches who only look inward at themselves whether it be with their time, money, or deeply held religious beliefs.  The Church of God has had a long history of its leaders and certain ministers who loved to mock other Christians who assist the homeless, feed the hungry, care for the sick and those on the margins of society.  The belief has always been, as widely blasted from the pulpit, that why waste time and tithe money in this present age on these people or issues of life when God will eventually fix all of the problems in the Kingdom to come. Besides, why waste money feeding the homeless when a new jet or auditorium is more important!

The constant criticism of their insular activities apparently gets to them every once in a while.  So much so that Gerald Weston has to write about it.

Who Is Your Neighbor?

This brings us to a vital question: How much love do we have for our neighbor?

Love is more than an emotion. Godly love requires action! Yet, some members do all they can to avoid their earthly neighbors. Perhaps you have heard one of these justifications: “Familiarity breeds contempt, so I keep my distance.” “We are to come out of this world and my neighbors are in this world.” “I don’t want to have to deal with questions about Christmas or the Sabbath.” Some churches go so far as to command their members not to fellowship with those outside of their organizations! How misguided! How sad!

It is true that we should prioritize helping those who are spiritually like-minded. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). We all have limited time and resources, and yes, our first concern is to those of the household of faith, but the Bible tells us to “do good to all,” and there are numerous admonitions in Scripture to care for outsiders.

One of the most well-known parables is that of the Good Samaritan. Jesus gave it in response to a self-justifying lawyer who asked, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). The parable is so well recognized that it requires little rehearsing. Jesus used it to demonstrate that our self-assumed status is not what matters. Rather, how we treat others is what matters. We read how a priest and a Levite passed by a man robbed and beaten by thieves, but a Samaritan, one despised by the Jews, went out of his way to give aid (vv. 30–35). Concluding the parable, Jesus asked the lawyer, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And the lawyer replied, “He who showed mercy on him” (vv. 36–37).

We ought to be the best neighbors in our communities, helping where needed. Does this mean we should volunteer our time at “skid row” food kitchens? No one can deny that a warm meal is a service to a hungry person, but we need to make sure our heads work with our hearts. Such programs may make us feel good, as though we are doing something significant, but is there any lasting benefit? Have we done anything to help anyone off skid row and into a more productive life? Are we even capable of doing such a thing at this time? Is this how we should spend our energy and resources? Each of us must evaluate our own circumstances and opportunities.

It is quite obvious that Weston has never set foot in a facility that assists the homeless by feeding and providing housing.  Those using these facilities for food or housing have to fulfil many requirements that they are actively looking for jobs, staying clean and sober, and much more.  These organizations who do this DO look towards lasting benefits that their clients have physical and mental health issues met.  These organizations DO get people off skid row and homeless families into homes so they can lead productive lives.  Weston's flippant remark is just another easy-out so LCG members do not have to do any things.

The important comment above is in the second to last sentence. "Is this how we should spend our energy and resources?" Why spend money feeding people when we can dump millions of dollars into failed advertising campaigns, personal appearances, cable channels that failed to draw in viewers with income streams, and endless remodelling of church HQ offices?

Consider whether there are better ways to help. Are there closer neighbors? Checking on an elderly neighbor, mowing her lawn or shoveling his snow, may be of genuine benefit to someone who has a need and who may live as close as next door. Cooking a meal for a sick neighbor may also be appropriate. Watching over someone’s home while he is on vacation and walking and feeding his dog may be much appreciated. Of course, this requires knowing our neighbors well enough to understand their needs, and well enough to be trusted by them. These may seem small deeds, but they can be meaningful. 

Then to further intimidate members into doing nothing, Weston makes the claim that most of those who help the less fortunate of society only do it because they want to be seen doing it. Because this is a common trait within the Church of God does not mean everyone outside the church is guilty of this.

On the night of Jesus’ last Passover, He instructed His disciples—and those of us who follow in their footsteps—in the importance of expressing love by observable actions. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). How can anyone know that we “have love for one another” unless they observe acts of love? But this brings up another question. Did Jesus not tell us not to let our charitable deeds be shown? “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1).

The key is in the final phrase of the sentence: “to be seen by them.” In other words, “showing off” should not be the motivation for our good deeds. Calling up the television station to let them know you have organized a work party in a flood zone is not the thing to do. This happens all too often during natural disasters, as I have seen firsthand. So, it is a delicate balance. Or is it?

If you look at LCG, RCG, PCG,, and other COG sites/member papers, etc., you will see one story after another about church members who do good deeds for their churches.  They send in the stories with pictures and want to be seen doing it. After all, being seen raising money to send into HQ is more important than feeding a homeless man.  There ARE priorities!