Did Jesus Christ want huge multi-million dollar churches?

Question

The love of money is the root of all evil.

Seems to me that a humble hebrew that despised money, was betrayed for money, and knocked over the money changers tables would rather not have million dollar "showboat" churches dedicated to him.

Answer 1

I don't think Jesus, as a human, had any concept of a million dollar church at the time he lived. Would he want it...if it was honest and served the community and its money was put to good use, I would think so. Those are a lot of ifs though.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace, Peace and Love in Christ
Peg

Answer 2

That is something that comes up every now and again, and there remains to be a bit more explained about that.

It is true that there are some who demonstrate more love of money than thier love for God. It's their message that is delievered that you can hear this by. They err by concentrating on making God your errand boy, and tell the congregation about making God do what you want him to do.

But there are others that clearly need big places in order to contain the people that come to that particular church. I would say that Calvary Church of Costa Mesa pastored by Chuck Smith is one of those. Especially in summertime, people are known to bring lawn chairs in order to sit outside to listen to the sermon on that Sunday. The sanctuary is full, and so are the areas around the church. The message is Biblical, having a basis on the truth that Jesus is Lord and there is no way to become God's people other than grace through faith.

So it's the message that you can see as being the reason why there is money around. In one case it's because we have a lot of those who call themselves Christian who are oriented towards 'success', and on the other hand we have those who are drawn to God by the light of the truth; they seek the 'meat' of the word after having already laid the foundation of grace.

So yes, there are some that have money that are doing it God's way, while others have latched onto their own message.

Answer 3

No, but he would want people to bring thier tithes into the storehouse to help the homeless, widows and the needy children. He also would want us to give to the television ministry, to help spread his word. Why can't God's house look good? Why shouldn't it look good? Do we not know that we are the children of "HIS KINGDOM", of that we should be proud? There is nothing too good for God. Would we offer him a stable or a barn? He is the most high God! It doesn't matter here or there how we feel about what the money is spent on. The main thing is to obey God and act on the faith mentioned in the Bible.

Answer 4

Yes, Jesus definitely seemed to be more interested in the quality of a person's soul, and not the trappings of the building he chose to worship in.

Building these opulent churches may seem like a way to praise God to these folks, but it seems to me that it pretty much goes directly against his actual teachings. Certainly there's more text in the Bible to condemn the wealthy than there is for condemning homosexuals.

Answer 5

No Jesus wanted us to:

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Now..with that said.....just how are we to do that in the most effective way?

Answer 6

You have either misunderstood or just bringing this up. Is not the money that matters to Him, it's our heart that matters.
If a church costs very little but it could serve Him,He would love that church too.

Answer 7

It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the gates of heaven. Christians tried to tell me that the eye of a needle was something different, like a doorway or something. Anything to excuse their sinful lifestyles. lol

Answer 8

All those Mega Churches are uncalled for ,just as the huge Cathedrals are uncalled for.The first 200 years of the church were in homes or rented buildings.(such as the school of Tyranus in Acts)

Answer 9

Probably you are correct, but then Jesus is not the one building or paying for the churches.

Answer 10

Jesus wanted people to join the Christian faith, whether it be Protistant, Baptist, Nazarene, Catholic, or Crystaldelphian. If it takes play places and slurpee machines to encourage people to go to the house of god then so be it.