A friend recently posted this picture on Facebook.
I immediately burst out laughing, because I have this thought every time I see a large, overpriced church.
I think this is one of those controversial topics within the church. I am so mission minded that every time a church gets hung up on seemingly commercial items, I think, “Shouldn’t we give this money to the poor? Feed the hungry? Something Jesus would do?”
Years ago, when I still sung with the church choir, new choir robes were being purchased. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat every time the topic came up and they passed around a shiny catalog of choir robes going for $200 or more. I wanted to shout out, “WHY DO WE EVEN NEED THESE???” It seemed so frivolous. Was Jesus really going to care what I was singing in?
When this picture went up on Facebook, one person defended the megachurch, saying that her church fed and taught many people in the community. They were doing great things. This is true. We never really know what’s going on the rest of the week until we get involved. I ought not to be super critical.
Super expensive things in worship still make me uncomfortable. I know we need to love on Jesus and part of that is through His building that we worship in, but when is it too much?
I think of this story.
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Matthew 26:6-13
I so would have been one of the ones on the sideline yelling, “Hey! What gives? Why the waste?” And then I would have been shocked when Jesus criticized me.
It’s such a fine line. Where is it too much? What do you think? Do megachurches make you uncomfortable?