Can a church let the community use its well?
Question:
Greetings Brother Hamilton,
I trust you are doing great today.
I have this conflict to clarify: I understand the church is not suppose to go into business or maintain one. But I have a challenge; My congregation was gifted a piece of land with a sunken borehole (well) by a brother . Can the church use that water to help the community, or will that be considered a business? Some congregations here drill boreholes (a source) of water for their host community. Would it be wrong to do so if you won't sell it or ask people to pay anything in case of a repair?
If we are to stay strictly with the Bible and the church is to do only what is authorized, where is the place of inference? If God has not dealt with man in various ways, would it be wrong to use schools or charity organizations to further his cause? Can't they be seen as methods to execute His will? Just like radio evangelism and tracts, we have different mediums to get the gospel preached.
Please, how do I reconcile these things?
Thank you, sir.
Answer:
If the church doesn't have a use for the land it was given, it should be sold. Churches don't exist to accumulate wealth but to teach the gospel. If the church does have a use for the land, such as a place to build a meeting place, then there is nothing wrong with letting people benefit from the water. I assume that water use won't cost the church money to run an electric pump. If there are operating costs, then the well could given or sold to a community organization to maintain it.
Inference has a place in understanding what God has authorized. However, it must be a necessary or unavoidable inference. See:
Where can you draw a necessary conclusion that a church is to fund a separate institution to teach people or train preachers? Where do we conclude that the church is a general charity organization, let alone authorized to fund a separate institution to do its work? See The Problem with Organized Religion. The article Church-Supported Orphans’ Homes: What Was the Issue? touches on these issues.
Response:
It's always great to have someone like you to rely on in moments when it matters. Thank you very much for your responses. I always find them helpful in my preaching work. God bless you with more wisdom, keep your family safe and sound, and give you more grace to serve Him.
