7/3/2007
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: July 4, 2007
<br><br>People are funny.  Some are ha ha funny.  You know those folks.  They are fun to be around and a joy to see coming your way.  Others are not exactly ha ha funny, but sort of curious funny.  I bet you know some of those folks too.  Nothing wrong with ‘em mind you, it just sometimes takes a little while to figure them out and know where they are coming from.  God love us all, some of us fall into both categories, funny one day and a little backward the next.<br><br>This past weekend we had a very successful basement sale with the proceeds helping to fund our Wales mission trip on July 21-28.  As you might imagine, there were a few around who raised their respective eyebrows at the thought of a Church, a Church of Christ nontheless, having a sale of any kind, whether it be on the yard, in the basement or on the roof.  I inadvertantly overheard more than 1 and less than 10 people, (do the math), who said they could in no way be part of church that would be involved in such things.  These are the same people who I would put in the not so ha ha funny group as much as I would the sort of curious group.  This week we will celebrate the freedom that gives all of us the right to say what we think and worship where we want.  I thank God for the privilege of living in a country that affords us such freedoms and I also thank God for the people who have fought and continue to fight for those same liberties.   <br><br>Over the last few days, I have pondered and researched the Biblical authority for a Church to yard sale or not yard sale. (up ‘til now I bet you thought you had heard of everything)  We pride ourselves on being a Church governed by the “Thou shalts and Thou shalt nots” found in God’s Word.  I am sorry to report that nowhere in Holy Script did I find where it said  “Thou shalt have a yard sale” or “Thou shalt not have a yard sale”.  Some of you reading this are now saying “Aha!  It does not say either way so therefore you should not do it!”  To you let me say, hold on, don’t eat your grits so fast.  No, we do not find any command either way, BUT we do have a BIBLICAL EXAMPLE, and YES,  IT’S IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.  In my best preacher voice let me say, “Turn with me if you will to the book of Acts, chapter 4, verses 32-37.”  I’m not gonna tell you what it says, you need to read it for yourself.....I’ll give you a minute.....go ahead, I will be here when you get back.<br><br>Now I know, it doesn’t say they sold stuffed animals and mis-matched shoes.  But it does say they sold land and even houses to help those who were in need both physically and spiritually.  I would also surmise (meaning my opinion) that those houses weren’t empty, and they probably sold the stuff that was in them as well.  The Bible says they had all things “in common” and that they shared their possessions.  Their attitude was “if you need it and I got it then you can have it or we‘ll sell it”.   They needed the physical help so they could afford to stay to get the more important spiritual help.  Thus, the first recorded yard sale. (probably was more like a sand sale)  It was one of the greatest times in Church history because the Church had just been established.... I would not have wanted to go home and miss it either.   <br><br>Maybe the yard-sale nay-sayers are not so opposed to the basement sale as much as whose basement it was in.  I just went outside and checked, and the building is constructed of brick, block, and mortar, at least on the outside.  It’s just a building, nothing really special about it.  The Fairfield Church of Christ is a location that is used primarily for worship, but it’s also used for so much more.  Every Thursday morning ladies quilt in the basement.  Every Wednesday morning ladies prepare the weekly bulletin for mailing.  We occasionally have baby showers, anniversary parties, and the Red Cross Bloodmobile.  Every now and then it’s used for weddings, meals for the bereaved, and even a voting precinct.  The cast of Hee Haw even shows up from time to time.  I doubt you can find a “Thou shalt’” for any of these either.<br><br>If you disagree with me and feel like a basement sale is gonna send this Church to you-know-where in a hand basket, please contact me immediately with your Biblical support.  I’d rather you lovingly tell it to me face to face than whisper it to another behind my back.  Look in your Bible.....I think you CAN find a “Thou shalt” for that one, and in my Bible, it’s written in red.  Guess that narrows down who said it, huh?<br>                                                                                                                                                               <br><br> Go the extra mile - Devin<br><br>