Why do Christians spend so much money building big fancy churches?
Rather than trying to explain it to you, I’ll simply say that beautiful churches are a symbol of the faith and generosity of the people, and that money spent glorifying God is never wasted. This link should tell you all you need to know, and why: http://books.google.com/books?id=Qzo3G-w…
Some build big buildings because they have large congregations. One of our missionaries built an impressive building in his native Croatia because the people there equate large, ornamental buildings with legitimacy. My congregation is not particularly large, but we do have a large building. It is in use constantly, as a food distribution site, a preschool (which my wife directs) a boy scout meeting hall, Alcoholics Anonymous, marriage counseling and seminars, etc. We, along with another congregation, maintain a multi-building orphanage in Mexico, which has garnered national attention and been a great outreach to assist many of the poor and downtrodden of its local community, not just our little huerfanos. Your question and statement has some merit if a congregation builds a lavish building to try and impress people–we’re supposed to be worshiping God, and the Bible specifically states that He does not live in houses built with hands. WE are his temple, not the crude buildings that ris
God wants his people to have the best. About giving money to the poor people, if they really wanted help, and now i mean really wanted help, they would flock to the churches when they are giving out food and they would attend church. Not the other way around where the church has to be baby sitting the poor. My church is a pentecostal church and this is what it looks like: http://fpcnlr.com/ First Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ Images: http://bp2.blogger.com/_luMsoQiYM7c/SFYh…
That is a very good question! I am not sure, but most Christians do donate lots of money to the poor and to missions, so I don’t think that they are neglecting that need entirely. I think that they feel like a big church will house and bring in more people. I also think that they feel like since this is where they come to worship God, that they need to make the building a nice one. Good question and definitely food for thought!
