What Can be Wrong with Rich Churches Helping those who are Poorer?

In our 5 Nov update, I wrote some strong words about church and foreign money.  One friend wisely questioned me about it, so I thought I'd quote what I wrote and explain my concern more clearly from the Scriptures:

One other fellowship here I was dismayed to witness laying on a big restaurant meal for Good Friday which we were not expected to contribute anything for.  The model is that the CEO of a church has lots of money coming in from abroad and he doles it out liberally.  I was particularly upset that that happened on Good Friday, when we are meant to reflect on the example of self-giving set by the 'CEO' of the church, he who gave himself up on the cross for the sake of his people.

My friend wisely commented that a Western church might in fact be inspired by Good Friday and give so that a poorer church can enjoy a free meal.  I agree that that scenario would not be a contravention of biblical teaching.  However, Westerners might like to know why I feel so strongly about what I perceive to be an 'entitlement mentality' in churches in this region.

1. What does it mean to aim at 'equality'?
   My friend referenced 2 Cor 8:13-14:
   "It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality.[b] 14 At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality." (CSB)  However, I note that the Corinthians were being asked to provide need for those who were undergoing a famine in Jerusalem.*
   Suffice it to say here that I worry that a lot of money from well-to-do churches ends up going to middle-class people in countries where there is a well-publicised disaster or conflict.  We do have huge refugee camps here with people struggling to fill their stomachs.  But that Good Friday congregation was made up of plenty of 'middle-class' people.  The principle of 'equality' does not mean a crass income-levelling whereby wealthy churches should be striving to raise up the wealth of middle-class people.  We must labour to identify real need (see Paul doing this in 1 Tim 5:3,5) and then seek to feed the hungry.
2. I worry that Christians are being trained to come to church to receive not to give.  This was not a one-off observation.  I have seen so much up-ending here of the biblical maxim that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'.
3. What I have witnessed so often in evangelical church culture here is an undermining of the culture of sharing food that is strongly present in non-Christian culture.  When a group of relatives go on a picnic together, each household labours to prepare food and bring it.  This happens in schools and universities too: people often bring a big tray of dolma  to share.  A key NT word that characterises the church is koinonia- fellowship, but since that word is often poorly understood, let's think of the church as a 'sharing-ship'.  So not only do I believe the model of the Big Guy at the Top doling out the Goodies is unbecoming of a Christian 'share-ship'; I believe it is even falling short of the standard of sharing that prevails in the communities of this world.
   
   * This is an assumption from 8:4- 'the relief of the saints'.  It sounds like pretty drastic need to me.  Acts 11:28 specifically mentions a famine, though about dates I have not researched. 

Hospitality is Not Burdensome

People wonder 'is it exhausting catering for 20 people at your home every Tuesday night?'  Joy discussed this and we want to spell out why the answer to that question is no.  Yes, it is a certain amount of work, but it is not too much to bear.

Let's use 1 John 5:3-4 to examine the matter. 

"And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (ESV)

Yes, we are commanded to show hospitality.  And it feels right not just to worship together but to eat together each week.  But when we think of all that God commands, serving supper every week is not such a hard task.

1. Every member should be serving, not just us the hosts (Eph 4).  Praise God one of the baby believers comes early each week and helps cook.  The expats help humbly too.  Amazingly, we've even seen the K men help out with clearing up and making tea- usually the prerogative of the hens not the roosters!
2. We get the children to help.  This sometimes goes well, not always; but we see ourselves as a household serving the saints together (1 Cor 16:15)
3. We are 'reducitarian' in diet.  We think of meat as something special (cf Luke 15), not something to eat every day.  So we are content with rice and beans and salad.
4. Notice in 1 John 5: what is it that makes this kind of hospitality manageable?  Let's paraphrase these verses a bit:
   And his command 'show hospitality' is not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world's demand that eating together always be fancy. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith that God is calling together a group who will carry eachother's burdens."