By Steve A. Hamilton

            I received an e-mail from a church in Boston who felt the need to solicit funds from churches all over the country to help build their church building.  I wrote them a two sentence response to warn them that such an activity without authority was sin.  Notice the justification given from this church in Boston to proceed with their fundraising despite Biblical authority. 

“Hi my Brother,

                “Recently a letter was email to you asking for financial support in behalf of the [name deleted] Church of Christ. We appreciate your response to the cause of the gospel here at the [name deleted] Church of Christ. Although I must say we do not share with your ideal logy concerning giving to needy causes in regard to the gospel. 

                “You said in your email response, “there is no scriptural authority for one church to give funds to another church except when the funds are to help needy saints (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:1-2; Rom. 15:25-32).” 

                “In response, I must inform you that we are saints of God and we do fit the requirements of needy.  If it were not so we definitely would not be soliciting help from other Christians. I hope you are not attempting to use God’s word to support your unwillingness to help a church that Christ died for and gave his blood for it.  To use the word of God to stop the spread of the word of God is repugnant.  It was Christ that said a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. 

                “As we look around us at the denomination world, we see them working together building church after church to spread falsehood. It appears to me that you are more concerned about the methodology of giving than you are concerned about the spirit of giving. 

                “Are you trying to say that a particular formula for giving is expressed in the bible the word of God, and if that formula is not followed that is sin? 

                “You quoted from I Cor. 16:1-3, where Paul commanded the church of Ephesus to give to the saints as he had previous commanded the church of the Galatians.  Are we not saints? Are we not in need? Or are you defining what a need is?

                “If a building is not a need, why should any church of today bother to have one? Is not this important for the spread of the gospel here in America? By the way I like the building that you placed on your website. It is a great idea for us to try to build in that fashion.  Is there any scriptural authority for building church buildings? By today’s standards church buildings is a need.  It is no less than a need as living in your own home, the American dream. But there are some people in Africa that live in huts. Because huts are sufficient in Africa, does that make living in a home in America superfluous and not necessary? If that was the case we should all sell our homes and live in huts.

                “We respect your decision not to help us in this worthy cause for Christ. We respect your ideology on this behalf. But to tell us that we are in sin because we are seeking support of the Brethren is a travesty of the justice of God’s word. I encourage you to not to judge another man’s servant on this behalf and to try a little judgment, mercy and faith; these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 

 “Sincerely,

 “[name deleted], Minister”

That letter was edited for clarity.  The following was my reply:

                   “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

“Your view of a church building is not in harmony with the scriptures.  Christ died for the church, not the church building.  In fact, a church building has never saved a single soul (Rom. 10:17).  I find it repugnant that you would siphon funds from other churches that could have spent those funds on evangelism.  Whether you have a building or not will have no effect on the spread of the gospel.

“The “methodology of giving” is as important as the spirit of giving.  The pattern given in scripture is vitally important!  “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).  Have you forgotten Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2)?  They weren’t concerned about how a matter was conducted and they lost their lives.  Our Lord is the same Lord they served (Heb. 13:8).  It is even noted in Lev. 10:2 that they used strange fire which they were not commanded.  The HOW does matter!

“That is why I appealed to a lack of authority on your part to solicit funds from other churches.  If Christ did not authorize such an activity then you do so by man’s authority and we know where that leads (Matt. 15:8-9).  Let me also draw your attention to Matt. 7:21-23.  There will be a lot of Christians in the end who will declare on the judgment day that they did many wonderful works in His name.  But what was Christ’s reply?  “Depart from me, you who practice LAWLESSNESS!”  If you do this thing without authority you are lawless!

“I also find it amazing that you would equate needy saints in the scriptures (without exception, the needy saints where those in need of food) with your “need” for a building.  The building is a matter of expedience.  You don’t “need” to have a building.  You can meet in a field, along the river, or in a member’s home.  If you choose to have a building, then use the funds the Lord has given you to use.  But don’t take it from other churches that have a commission to spread the gospel so you can have a comfortable surrounding.

“You ask in your ignorance, “Is there any scriptural authority for building church buildings?”  Yes, there is authority to build church building (Heb. 10:25).  In order to fulfill the command to meet, it might be advantageous (expedient) for us to have a building.  Even expediencies must be lawful (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23).

“My motive is to warn you of your sinful conduct.  To do otherwise would show a lack of love on my part.  I know chastisement is not pleasant (Heb. 12:5-11).  But you have been warned and I pray you will repent before it is eternally too late.

“Brotherly,

“Steve A. Hamilton

“Minister of the Gospel”

Last modified: 05/02/08