By: Brent Moody, Wooddale Church of Christ

It is a common belief today that the church should function as a community relief center. It is the place to go for discount clothing, day care, medical services,or a "hand out" when money gets tight.

In the midst of trying to save lives, it seems many have forgotten that saving souls for everlasting life is the true mission of the church.

It is a misconception that God's greatest concern, and the mission of His church, is providing physical comfort in this life.

God makes it clear from the book of Proverbs that those who live righteously avoid regular problems that plague the wicked; however, to think that godliness always brings happiness is to ignore the stories in Scripture that teach differently. Paul was not happy about being stoned, or beaten with 39 stripes.

There is a difference between happiness and joy.

Though we may not be happy about specific events in life, we, can still have joy.

That is why James could say, "count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations" (James 1:2) It is not that trials bring pleasure to its sufferer, but through trials faith is made stronger, and hope is made brighter (James 1:3-4).

God would rather man live his life in suffering pain and die prepared for the judgment, than for man to live in luxury and lose his soul. God provided the joys of life for us. He wants us to find pleasure in His creation, but the riches of heaven far outweigh this world's passing pleasures.

Rather than spending its time, effort and expense on addressing the social ills of the world, the Lord's church needs to fulfill the missions it was established for: Praising God, edifying the saints, and seeking the lost.

Money was not the answer for the lame beggar in Acts 3. The spiritually crippled need-and the church must give them-the Gospel.

The Lord's church needs to busy itself with saving souls.