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Larry Ray Hafley
By teaching the word of God and caring for its needy, each church of Christ
fulfills its divinely appointed duties of evangelism, edification, and
benevolence (Acts 6:1-6; 11:22-30; 1 Tim. 3:15; 5:16; 1 Thess. 1:8). All who
would engage the church in other activities have no authority for their
practices.
Money is obtained by the church to meet its responsibilities (1 Cor. 16:1,
2). The church may use these funds to perform its authorized assignments. It is
a misappropriation of the Lord's money to use it for things which do not serve
the work of the church. Therefore, to use the Lord's money for "fun, food, and
frolic" is unauthorized and sinful. New Testament churches were not
entertainment centers in the first century and should not be so now.
Many social activities are good for Christians, but these are not the mission
of the church. Brethren may fish and drink coffee together, but the Bible does
not authorize the church to furnish the worms or the Maxwell House. The New
Testament does not include sensual entertainment or physical recreation as a
work of the church.
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