“The church has gold not to store up but to lay out and spend on those in need, for would not the Lord himself say: ‘why did you suffer so many to die of hunger?’ – Ambrose of Milan
“In an age of multi-million dollar mansions for God, it’s hard to imagine that our God has always preferred tents.” - S.C.
The writer Shane Claiborne speaks prophetically against the tendency of churches today to be so focused on growing their numbers – in money, in programs, in people. There are good intentions behind those who want to contribute money for a larger church sanctuary, to install better speakers, even a large projector screen to make the message attractive and more visible, especially to the young. Can’t these actions be solely intended to give God glory? Can’t it be that through more money, more programs, and better buildings, that more people can ‘be reached’? But as Claiborne writes, maybe the Kingdom of God was meant to be small, with any corporateness being where 2 or 3 are gathered together. Maybe then, churches should always work to grow smaller.
I recall a story from Macarius the Great. He said a woman in his church community was eagerly wanting to buy gems to make the vestments of the priests more beautiful. “I want the priests to have the finest, all for the glory of God”, she said. Macarius applauded her intentions. He approached the woman and said he knew of very valuable gems that he could buy for the woman, but that she would have to give him the money and trust him. She did so. Weeks passed but the woman never heard from Macarius as to what gems were bought. She nervously worked up the courage to ask Macarius the whereabouts of her donation. He immediately replied, “O, I am so sorry! I forgot. Come with me and let me show you the gems that I bought with your money for the glory of God.” The woman followed Macarius to a poor, dilapidated house. Inside were people who the society had neglected – blind, orphaned children, widows, those with mental retardation, the elderly homeless, the couple in the corner who didn’t have any money for health insurance to buy their medicine. There they all sat around a table. “Here”, said Macarius, “are the gems your money has provided for. Here shines topaz, jade, ruby, gold, diamond…” As buildings are built, perhaps human temples are being destroyed by hunger and homelessness.
