You know churches are always asking for money. They're always asking for your tithe. They're always asking for a special collection for this, that, or the other. On the surface it always sounds like a good thing. Then I found this quote while writing a mercy and justice paper for a class on John Wesley's theology.
Persecution never did, never could, give any lasting wound to genuine Christianity. But the greatest it ever received, the grand blow which was struck at the very root of that humble, gentle patient love, which is the fulfilling of the Christian law, the whole essence of true religion, was struck in the fourth century by Constantine the Great, when he called himself a Christian, and poured in a flood of riches, honours, and power, upon the Christians; more especially upon the Clergy...Then, not the golden, but the iron age of the Church commenced.ii John Wesley sermons., 2:462-463. (The Mystery of Iniquity)
Wesley goes on to emphasize money and power are not the best when trying to give aid to the poor, to educate the ignorant, to bring food to the needy. Without a doubt money helps make those things happen, but without people to step out in faith, to answer the call saying, "Here I am am. I will go," money is just another trap.
This being said I never thought of Constantine having such a negative effect on the church. Thanks to Constantine the church stopped being persecuted by the Romans. Thanks to Constantine the way was paved for Roman Christianity which is Roman Catholicism. Why was this a bad thing? Putting that much money, power and influence into the hand of any human - Christian or otherwise, is a whole lot of temptation. Through the centuries the "Church" supported forcing the lower class into near slavery under the guise some people are born to lower station, and it is God's will they were born to be serfs. The Church strong armed countries in Europe to fight the crusades by refusing their people the sacraments, and then didn't provide for the spiritual development of the soldiers to prevent atrocities like the sacking of Constantinople. At Constantinople European Christian crusaders roasted Turkish Christians on spits outside the city walls. These are just the first of many atrocities committed by Christians (not just Roman Catholics) in the name of God.
Money and power are not evil in and of themselves, but they are an awful temptation for misery - even in the hands of Christians. I'm not saying everyone should be poor. I'm saying at some point we have to be grateful for what we have, and generous enough in spirit to go to those who are hurting with more than our wallets. Perhaps we need to do more showing up for the gospel, and less looking for a handout.
