Is there a biblical precedence for this Baptist megachurch?

Since when did fundraising campaigns become part of the corporate worship scene? For the past few years, it seems as though churches across the country have each come up with their own creative marketing package for these campaigns. All of which it seems have been for constructing new buildings, wireless cafes, parking garages, and high-tech video game rooms.

They have been promoted as a way to relate to non-believers, to draw them in, to create a foundation for future generations. As if the Gospel of Christ needed to be advertised as a box of Lucky Charms as one pastor put it.

But if we take a look at the Bible, can we find any examples of similar fundraising campaigns? Passages such as that from 2 Chronicles 24 have been used as an example. Upon first glance it can be understood why that would be the case. However, as Christians we know that a campaign to raise funds for repairing Israel's Temple is much different than raising $115 million for constructing a new church building decked out with a glass sky bridge.

The Temple was God's dwelling place. He was to dwell there among the Israelites, and it was the place for worship and sacrifice. Of course it would make sense to keep the house of God in pristine condition. And so Joash was making a godly decision to repair and cleanse the Temple.

But does a church building in 21st century America serve the same purpose? My answer is no. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn. The Temple was no longer needed as a dwelling place, we are now the temples of God. And it was no longer needed for sacrifice because Christ's sacrifice was final.

The early church was not seen hanging out in magnificent buildings equipped with the latest architectural designs and gadgets. Instead they mostly gathered in homes for times of discipleship and then went out into the world instead of waiting for people to come in.

Could those millions of dollars be used to finish translating the Bible into the rest of the world's languages? How about for funding missionaries to the far corners of the earth? Or perhaps for funding the redemption of the thousands of slaves that still exist?

For the article, go to:
"Baptist Megachurch"