I wish you well as you brave the cold winter weather, the agitated shoppers, and the long lines at the check-out stands. Along with these holiday standards are the “soldiers” from the Salvation Army, ringing bells and soliciting donations to help the needy.
The Salvation Army raises approximately $100 million through these holiday donations. Their solicitation appeals to our sense of benevolence at a time when we are feeling particularly benevolent. Surely there would be no harm in making donations to these tireless workers who are willing to endure the cold winds of December, or is there?
The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth, a Methodist preacher, in 1865. Booth believed that God had called him to minister to the outcast. His philosophy was “Soup, Soap, and Salvation, believing that a person who is hungry or in need of a bath would not be interested in the gospel. So, in 1878, Booth and his wife, Catherine, organized the Salvation Army as a new denominational church, with the Protestant doctrine of Methodism. Booth designated himself as General, his best leaders as lieutenants, captains, and majors, and faithful converts became soldiers.
Thus, the Salvation Army differs from other benevolent organizations such as “The Red Cross,” or “The American Heart Association,” in that it is a church, a religious denomination. As a religious denomination, it teaches a distorted gospel and does not teach what one must do to be saved.
But does the fact that the Salvation Army does a lot of good mean that we should support them? Let me answer with a few questions. “Should a Christian, a member of the church that Jesus purchased with His own blood, support a man-made religious body, which rivals the Lord’s church? “Should we support by our donations a false religious organization that teaches a false plan of salvation, which, if followed, will cause people to come short of obeying Jesus?”
Friends, an organization that feeds the stomach but starves the spirit, is not truly helpful. I certainly don’t question their sincerity or their willingness to help the poor, but their zeal is not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2). Instead of doing our benevolence through a denominational church, why don’t we maintain a benevolent spirit, giving as we are prospered to the church, and let Christ be glorified through His church (Ephesians 3:21).
As the little bell is rung in your direction this holiday season, why don’t you join me in politely saying, “I do my benevolent work through my local church.”