Acts 4:32-37 NKJV

[32] Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. [33] And with great power, the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. [34] Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, [35] and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. [36] And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, [37] having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

If you look for the nicest buildings in town, you will see that banks and churches are at the top of the list. Bank buildings should come as no surprise. They are in it to make money. That is what banks do. So why are churches in the same facilities class?

I don't believe that churches should be rundown. We are supposed to be good stewards of what we are given. At some point, I believe many churches have lost sight of the end goal of stewardship. I think the work that happens outside the walls of the church is far more important than the color of the walls or the size of the stained glass windows.

The early church didn't require a dedicated building with comfortable chairs and a coffee bar. There weren't any bookstores or colorful lights. The people who attended were hungry for the word of God. They piled up on the floors. The crowded around open windows to hear, see, and experience what God was doing.

I appreciate nice things as much as anyone, but I believe the church should look more like a clinic and less like a museum. The church building does not house the Holy Spirit... we do. I am thankful to be a part of a warehouse church that focuses on reaching and serving the lost over creating a shrine funded by people. At the end of it all, it will not be about what we ended up with, but who we reached with what we had.