AN EXPLANATION

At the meeting of the 1978 Synod I was requested to give an explanation of a statement in the minutes of the Synod of 1976 about the “Saving Fund” of our churches. The point at issue was this statement: “The savings deposited into this fund would be secured by the churches.” One Classis requested a clearer explanation of this matter.

We are living in terrible times. It is as we read in Psalm 82, “All the foundations of the earth are out of course”; and in Eccles. 7:12 we read, “Wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence.” We hear it time and again that there is no stability in money. On the world market its value rises and falls. From day to day it must surprise us that the Lord still upholds the world. We live as it were on a volcano. The iniquity increases, and we are making ourselves ripe for the judgment of destruction. “In evil we have gone astray, and sinful is our race”. It should humble us deeply, that the earth still carries us, and that heaven still covers us. The sins of our heart and home, nation and church are great. We go in our own chosen ways, but God also continues in the exercise of His justice.

With the church of God we are living under a cloud, and God is hiding His face because we have grieved the Spirit of God, and there is no returning to the Lord. The world is experiencing earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, incurable diseases, wars and rumors of wars, and confusions among the nations.

God reigns and He is showing that He is God and that He is almighty, even though He is not acknowledged as such. God is weary of sin, and He hates robbery for burnt offering. God’s day and His ordinances are not regarded. Marriage is despised, and free love is propagated, as it was found years ago already in Communistic countries, and is now increasing in so-called Christian nations. Truly we have reason to say with David, “I am afraid of Thy judgments.” Psalm 119:120.

As death can come as a thief in the night, so also devaluation can come upon us suddenly, so that the entire nation is in difficulties. When under God’s righteous judgment all values decrease, the entire nation suffers. In other words, when one nation begins to sink, many others also sink. National sins bring national judgments, and the church shall partake in them.

In such a case all promises and covenants fall away, therefore, also the guarantee that the church will repay the money thus entrusted to it, will not stand. Then we must say with Micah, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him”. (Micah 7) We may well tremble and fear for the future, and by grace make haste for our life’s sake. In Job 12:6 we read that they who provoke God are secure. Let us all, young and old consider these words. May the highness of God be bound upon our hearts. With all insurances that are against God’s Word, we shall perish, and incur God’s wrath upon us. This also includes vaccination, in whatever form it may be given.

The insurance that we can commend to you is that of which God’s Word speaks in Romans 8:38, 39. That is an assurance that does not cost us anything, but is given us by His grace freely for Christ’s sake.

Finally, I hope this article has removed the misunderstanding. I can also tell you that at present there are more requests for help than the fund can provide.

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