The Lord told me many years ago that churches should never hold rummage sales to earn money for the work of the gospel. So much work is involved in putting together a rummage sale unnecessarily.
The first principle is that, if the people of the gathering of believers need money for God's work, then they should just give as they are led in their hearts without thought of getting anything in return, while praying that God would provide more if needed.
The second principle is that, God's people should never receive funds for God's work from those who do not love Him.
God's people are to provide as they are blessed financially and through a dedication to the work of Christ. No where in the Word does God tell us to hold "Church rummage sales", to get money for His Work
If someone were to sell their own goods to give the money to the church, that is a different matter. For the church to hold a rummage sale, demonstrates to the world that God does not provide miraculously for the needs of the body, that the body depends on human devices the same as the world does.
1 Corinthians 16:2
"2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to [a]put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come."
2 Corinthians 9:7
"7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Mark 12:41-44
"41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
Luke 6:38
"38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Proverbs 3:9-10
"9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine."
Matthew 6:21
"21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The Lord wants His money to come from believers who have a right heart, expecting nothing in return. Any offering from a non-believer is an stench in God's nostrils He will not accept it.
Psalm 66:18
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear."
