by jimwalton » Wed May 10, 2023 12:03 am
A related question back to you would be: Why did the Israelites spend so much money on the Tabernacle/Temple?
If we are commissioned to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ, so expenditures can possibly be justified. But only possibly. Some churches make these purchases to be trendy or be more professional, but some churches make these purchases because that's what it takes to reach people of certain mindsets in certain communities. If the church comes across as stodgy, old-fashioned, out-of-touch, and boring, some people won't attend or won't return, and the church loses its opportunity to influence them with the truth.
Once Jesus was asked why He allowed a women to pour expensive perfume on Him when it could have been sold for a lot of money and help the poor (Mt. 26.9). Jesus responded that sometimes doing beautiful things for God is justified.
A related question back to you would be: Why did the Israelites spend so much money on the Tabernacle/Temple?
If we are commissioned to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ, so expenditures can possibly be justified. But only possibly. Some churches make these purchases to be trendy or be more professional, but some churches make these purchases because that's what it takes to reach people of certain mindsets in certain communities. If the church comes across as stodgy, old-fashioned, out-of-touch, and boring, some people won't attend or won't return, and the church loses its opportunity to influence them with the truth.
Once Jesus was asked why He allowed a women to pour expensive perfume on Him when it could have been sold for a lot of money and help the poor (Mt. 26.9). Jesus responded that sometimes doing beautiful things for God is justified.