Should churches be selling Adam's ribs?

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What’s Your Question? for Oct. 28, 2009

Should churches be selling Adam’s ribs?

A recent newspaper article told about an Alabama church that started selling “Adam’s ribs” - smoked and covered in barbecue sauce. It started as a fundraiser, on church property, and has turned into a walk-up restaurant year round. They “justified” it by saying the profits go back to the church, three members who were unemployed, now have a job and it gives them opportunities to minister. The Bible clearly teaches a difference between individual and congregational actions (Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Tim. 5:16). Those who argue that the church can do any good work the individual may do, cannot consistently object to churches operating restaurants. The Bible tells us how churches are to raise money (1 Cor. 16:1,2), and how individuals are to raise money (Eph. 4:28). When these scriptural distinctions are ignored, churches get into all kinds of unscriptural activities.