I think the number one complaint I hear about churches is the amount of money they spend.
High salaries, $40million dollar buildings, top of the line light shows, and $20,000 sound boards.
So, I have two questions for the church and then a question for your average reader...
Dear church,
Do you really need to spend that much on a building?
Is this really what Jesus told you to do?
Dear average reader (maybe a person who is skeptical of the church),
How much is too much in your opinion?
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3 comments:
I shalt not judge, lest I be judged.
When I am tempted to look at wealthy Christians living in huge houses with neat gadgets and be jealous and judge them for spending too much on non-necessities, I am reminded (hopefully sooner rather than later) that God needs Christians in every sector of society. Sure some wealthy Christians sin and spend too much. Sure, some wealthy churches sin and spend too much. That judgment is for God to make, and for everyone to seek His perspective about.
I think it's dangerous to be in the habit of looking at others different from us and setting arbitrary limits on them. After all, we belong to a King who sits on an elaborate throne with angels constantly praising Him, who has lavished us with all blessings in Christ, and who gives us a marvelous inheritance in Heaven - mansions, gold streets, a huge banquet supper, and life in eternity without any worries and with joy seeping out our eyeballs!!! lol God loves John the Baptist AND Job (who He restored even more material blessings to after his trial)! He calls some to be beggars and some to be benefactors, and ALL to be ROYALTY! Let's praise Him for His variety and His over-the-top LOVE!
Interesting question to "the church" because when I think "the church", building is not what comes to mind - it's the people. I agree that on paper lots of churches spend lots of money and I also agree with Laura that we can't really stand on the sidelines & judge.
Do I think that some churches spend too much? Yep - do I think it's because the people in those churches are "demanding" it? Yep. Do I know that some "Christians" won't go to a church service that doesn't have a "rocking" band and a cool power point presentation? Yep. So before baming the "church", I think we need to look at what we as "consumers" are expecting from the church.
Is that what Jesus called us to do? I think that Jesus calls us to love people and preach the Gospel. If a streetfair or a concert or a foodcourt in your church building is doing those things - I think that "yes" would be the answer. Jesus also calls us to care for our neighbors, so I think that if continually putting money into buildings, staff, and programing is keeping you from loving your neighbors, then maybe you need to reevaluate what your investing in.
This is a question that came up to me the other night. One of my friends boyfriends said, "Why do people at church always ask for money"?
Many people I know feel this way....I understand where they're coming from...but I also understand 10%..or more tithe.
Anyways, I have deal with this my whole life...."You're dad is a preacher, of course you have money"...or "You're mom drives an Esclade because the church pays for it". NOW, I know the truth, but some people don't.
I understand where on the outside, it looks as if the church "pays" for these things, but I also know that my parents are the most generous people I know. If they didn't give 6 figures to the church and school each year, who knows what would happen.
Anyways, I don't think it is wrong for "the church" to have money and spend it in ways to glorify God! It may look bad to some people for a "minister" to "have money", but honestly, is that any different than an accountant or a prominent businessman having money? Just because people think the money came from the church, I guess that's their fault for judging.....
I don't think it is wrong for a minister to have his/her expensive toys as long as they are still giving to those who "really need help". Greed is one thing, having nice things is another.....
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