There is nothing wrong in churches receiving money from the government if there are no strings attached. And there is no dilemma for the Methodist churches if they do the right thing with the RM1.5 million to dispel the controversy.

Some warned against accepting money and called it ‘arrogant.’ Perhaps it was the givers who did not understand. It is this sort of giving – the trumpeting of it that Jesus denounced. Christians are taught to give quietly, sincerely unconditionally, without fanfare, and to receive unconditionally.

Still as Bishop Hwa Yung wrote , Christians should not argue over it. The Sibu by-election is history. The money was problematic because of its timing as he opined.

Nevertheless the incident can be an opportunity for the churches, as he suggested, to ‘let their light shine before men so they may see their good works and give glory to God in Heaven.’

What better way to do that than to give the money – all RM1.5 million given by the government - to the poor?

But there is nothing wrong with the state giving money to churches as the conduit of its welfare programmess for the poor. In many places the churches do a good job in social welfare work and there is nothing wrong with them getting money to carry out projects, as long as there are no strings attached.

It is no secret money politics is the cancer and when you have the one who governed the country for 22 years admitting that in politics you can’t do without money, it figures why politicians give money to communities, even churches, during crucial elections. Ultimately God is the one who puts one leader down and elevates another – not money politics. Sibu may be one proof yet since Lim Kit Siang declared it ‘a miracle.’

We read of churches growing but their efforts have yet to percolate significantly outside their church walls and pervade their communities, notwithstanding the outstanding contributions of those churches already engaged in helping others.

Christian piety must produce the fruit of good works outside the church. Instead of looking to receive money Christians should be finding ways to give to others. They have no reason to be building white elephants when poorer Malaysians can do with help. And sacrificial giving is the best form of giving. I know many churches and individual Christians are doing that.

Righteousness exalts a nation and I hope more Christians will learn to stand in the gap for the nation and boldly do many constructive things – in addition to what they do in church. Get into politics if you have the ability and nerves - and calling. It is a noble profession hijacked by some criminals.