(Author’s note: This continues a series answering objections to the Christian worldview. A few weeks back I made a call for folks to send me their “best shot.” For the other posts in the series, simply follow the links and the pingbacks in the comments section.)
Steffiw, who supplied the last question in our Skeptics Answered series, also supplies the next one:
Why does the catholic church always ask for money for this and that? Our church needs a new roof. Surely he can manage that project for free.
God, of course, can manage that project and every other “project” Himself. In fact, He could bring someone to a saving knowledge of Christ all by His lonesome, completely apart from human means. Sometimes, He does just this, by using dreams and visions.
However, the vast majority of the time, God uses us flawed humans to accomplish His will, whether it be aiding the suffering of the downtrodden, or by providing the financial means for a certain ministry venture. Why?
God is into the business of sharing His joy. What a joyful thing it is to spread the territory of the Kingdom of God! In His mercy and undeserved favor, He lets us share a role in that. We are His ambassadors and vehicles of love. It is something we don’t deserve, but nevertheless He gives us a part to play.
He prefers that we be involved, not because He is the God of all efficiency, but because He is the God of all love. Remember, He is a relational God, seeking intimacy with us and desiring our moral transformation.
When my dad was a farmer, he’d often take me with him to tend his crops. While I was only a youngster of around 6 or 7, he’d give me something to do. He could do the job all by himself. In fact, I often got in the way, hindering his efficiency, but my dad still let me be with him, not because I was the most effective means of getting the job done, but just because he loved me; I was his son, he was my father, and he enjoyed having me along. That was it.
I fondly remember those times. They served as great bonding times with me and dad, and they taught me lessons that have stuck with me since.
So it is with God.
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