Leviticus Chapter 22 has an interesting list of people God says can and can't eat the holy and most holy offerings.
"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they do not profane My holy name by what they dedicate to Me: I am the LORD'" 22:1,2.
The church should be careful to maintain holiness to God as we share meals with unbelievers. Our contributions should be realized as holy offerings to the Lord our God. Taking donations from the unsaved should be forbidden so as not to profane God's holiness in their eyes.
Though the Hebrew Law isn't an integral part of what the church follows, we do know the need for keeping Jesus' Name and Person holy. And in light of some practices where unbelievers are invited to share meals in a church building, I think we need to be a bit stronger in showing holiness of Jesus' Name and Personage to unbelievers today. (I am not promoting legalism)
I say this in regards to the practice of many church's 'public suppers' where a donation is taken or a fee is charged. The unsaved have no concept of God's holiness, His Sovereignty, or that He doesn't need anyone's money.
If a congregation cannot afford the offering of a meal for God's glory then they shouldn't be having 'public suppers' and making the unsaved pay for it.
No money should be taken from the unsaved person who comes to share the meal, and their attempted donations should be refused, so as to let God show Himself mighty in the congregation and among the lost.
You can't keep people from trying to pay for their salvation on a Sunday, or anytime you pass an offering basket. To help alleviate this problem, it should be remarked upon as the offering is taken. But if a person goes away offended because a church wouldn't take their money at a Free Supper, AMEN & so much the more glory to God!
There are far too many 'churches' that get their support by selling suppers. For me. if a church refuses to accept money for any meals served where the general public is invited and gets a reputation of being the only church that doesn't take money, then they've set a precedent for the other Bible-based churches to follow.
They've become witnesses to the unsaved public, and other believers, that they know their God can supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:17-20)
Too many unsaved people have too many opportunities to try to buy their way into heaven through churches that accept any and all donations.
And on the particular night when inviting the general public to a supper and a believer tries to donate, I would turn down their money also. Just to set the example and not give any area of confusion as to the offering we are making to our God.
I mean, a believer has any number of opportunities to give. If we have the meal planned and enough of everything, then donations are superfluous at that time. It's like they're telling me, "You can't afford to give this much to God, so take this money and replenish your out of pocket expense." I would consider their money an insult to my faith in God. And a further insult to my sacrificial offering to my God.
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