We have an AWANA’s program at our church for children and youth on Wednesday evenings. We have had several families that would come by every couple of weeks or so, drop off their kids and leave. They were not members of our church or anything. Finally it came out that these parents were using our AWANA’s to basically babysit their kids for free while they went to a movie, out to dinner, etc. They were not members of our church and some were not even members of any other church. Just actually “freeloading” free child care so they could have a night out on us. The kids actually told some of this stuff. These people did not give money to help pay for these programs either. That is something that our offerings pay for. They just used the church for free stuff. If you are a member of a church you should volunteer for your church. Christ requires us to work for your church. Showing up and not doing anything for your church in service is wrong.
And while the kids where there, they learned about Jesus - RIGHT?
Where’s the downside?
Maybe you should have taught the kids how their parents were going to hell for stealing from God.
You know what, though? Those kids know what’s going on.
And they will not appreciate it when they are adults. And so many people wonder why grown adults dump their invalid parents in nursing homes and never visit them. It’s what they were raised with. Just returning the favor.
In the meantime, these children will hear the gospel and maybe become saved. And that’s what’s important. The parents may think they’re pulling one over on others, but in the end, they will be accomplishing good they never intended in their selfishness.
OTOH....my parents use to send us to the church down the street just to get us out of the house for a bit. We never gave anything but got involved in Sunday School, sung in the choir, went to vacation bible school, etc. The things I learned through these programs played a part later in my life with my coming to know Christ. My parents never attended and my mother died with a harden heart.
One should never sell short the message of God or how God works. Freely have we receive. Freely should we give.