Wrestling with Food Fellowship
I remember seeing the comedian Michael Jr. on a YouTube video saying in an interview that he did not know pretty people went to church. I thank God and a few old folks that he was seriously wrong. But in truth I must admit that at one time I thought all church people were overweight. This perception of church people had some origin in truth, because even if the pastor does not nourish your spirit, the church will if not during morning breakfast than during after service dinner will nourish your belly.
For many of the officers of the church the argument is Jesus always feed the multitudes. They have associated God’s word with eating. Almost as if they think God has to prostitute His Word with food so that would come to hear it.
This anomaly which gives food to the full yet often forget the hungry has been called everything from “Food Fellowship” to “ministry of food” and what it is in my opinion is a misunderstanding of the real use of the church (building) and the concept of charity as it relates to the Body of Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 11 the Apostle Paul insinuates that the only eating that should be done at the church is during Holy Communion. In verse 22 he asks, “Have you not houses to eat in?” this is because the Church of Corinth had been using the church for feast and gluttonous eating and with no regard for the work of Christ on the Cross. In verse 20 and 21 he writes;
“When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.(NIV)”
This very same behavior I have seen in church during almost every food fellowship. There are some church members who are so motivated by their own gluttony that they try to get downstairs (in the eating area) early to make sure they get their share, even if that means leaving in the middle of service. defiling the house of God by their selfish behaviors. The nourishment of God’s becomes secondary to nourishment of their body. They squabble over how much food is on someone else’ plate, how the food is cooked, why the elderly and children are served before they eat, some even try to get seconds before others get first.
They act just like the non-believers self-centered thinking only of themselves, forgetting Jesus Christ’s requirement to love one another, acting like animals disrespecting the house of worship as if it were sports bar. Jesus says we should be know by the love we have for one another, but none of their actions show any love at all.
It is the food that brings out the very worst of those that call themselves Christians, and I can’t help but believe that the devil as instituted this concept of food fellowship, because he more than anyone else know where our weakness are, and what it takes for us to take off the Lord Jesus Christ, and put on our old man. Is there any wonder that the Apostle Paul would asked “Do you despise the church of God …?”
Your Brother in Christ
Sole Deo Gloria