Nazi German Church vs the Contemporary American Church-8

Victoria Barnett* quotes Adolf Hitler,
“I promise you that, if I wished, I could destroy the church in a few years, it is hollow and rotten and false through and through. One push and the whole structure would collapse….I shall give them a few years reprieve. Why should we quarrel? They will swallow anything in order to keep their material advantages…we need only show them once or twice who is the master. Then they will know which way the wind blows. They are no fools. The Church was something really big. Now we are its heirs. We, too, are the Church. Its day has gone.” 
-Adolf Hitler (Pg44)
 
   This quote says two very important things; one about government and one about the church.
 
1.Nature of Government
First, the underlying tone of Hitler’s words reveal the very nature of government—the propensity to deity and power. In other words, these two propensities of government are the reasons government must be limited and small. They are the reasons America’s Founding Fathers were so wise in setting-up our present form of government. And finally, they are the reasons today people are so foolish in opposing our Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
   There are three areas of sin’s inspiration: a.Devil(Jms4:7;1Jn4:4) b.Flesh(Rom8:5-9;Gal5:16) sin nature; c.World(Rom12:1-3). The three inspirations are not independent, and often work together. For example, the devil uses the flesh in individual lives; and he inspires doctrines (1Tim4:1) that governments make law, i.e. gay marriage.
   The ‘World’ is defined as two or more people who agree to sin. Therefore, government sin falls in the category of the ‘World’. Government’s propensity to deity means it leans toward attempting to replace God; and people lean toward making it god. Because government is responsible for law, and a definition of sin is lawlessness, governments can very easily cross the line into assuming deity, by creating laws that contradict God’s word. Finally, the government’s control over the military and police are the powers which give it an unimaginable capability to murder its own. See ‘Death By Government’, RJ Rummel.
    In conclusion, Hitler’s words, “Now we are its heirs. We, too, are the Church. Its day has gone”, indicate what was obvious before the beginning of the Third Reich, Hitler believed himself to be god!
    I repeat, government must be controlled through keeping it small!
 
2.The Power of Money
   The pastors of Germany (18,000) were paid by the government. In our quote above, Hitler referred to this practice when he said, “They will swallow anything in order to keep their material advantages…”
  The German people were taxed and the money was used to pay pastors. Because Hitler (government) had power over the preacher’s paycheck, it was very simple step to challenge for control of the church by threatening their money. Because Hitler had control of the police too, his control over the church was quick and harsh.
   The use of the Gestapo to imprison and kill Germans overshadows the catastrophe of the unbiblical and ungodly practice of the government paying preachers. The Bible declares, “My God shall supply all my needs” (Phil4:19). God calls Himself a Father. Therefore, He wants to provide for mankind spirit, soul, and body! To whom man looks for financial provision becomes his God! Therefore, when man looks to the government for financial provision, he deifies the government. For this reason, welfare is wrong, and has never worked!
   Financial independence is a critical foundation for all Christians!! At this very moment many American Christians are under financial attack because of standing against the gay agenda!! Therefore, financial freedom is especially important for preachers to preach the Word without compromise! Without financial independence, preachers…who are human, will water-down sermons to ensure the safety of their mortgages; the security of their families, to please board members; and not to offend homosexuals…etc!
   Because of money, sin often becomes a non-existent topic!
   Although American pastors are not on the government payroll (except military chaplains), it is critical to understand the power money has over people! This was especially true in the German church, and tragically, though in a different way, it is still true in the American church!
   Financial freedom IS true freedom…especially for preachers of the gospel!!
 
 
*These series of tidbits uses “For the Soul of The People” by Victoria Barnett
 
QuoteBit
The twin killers of success are impatience and greed- Jim Rohn