Truth Magazine

By Kevin Campbell

I imagine that just about everyone realizes that there are some lessons in life that must simply be learned through experience- No matter how much others may teach and warn, nothing drives home a point quite like experience. The “school of hard knocks” has many graduates, most of whom are able to learn the lessons the first time around. A moment of carelessness with a gun or an automobile can teach a lesson that is sometimes fatal in its consequences. Usually, however, we are able to learn from experience to heed the warnings and admonitions given by those who are wiser.

This is especially true in regard to spiritual matters. Some have learned that “evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Cori 15:33) only after having experienced the results. Additionally, the same could be said of Paul’s ad-monition to “shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as dotha canker” (2 Tim. 2:16-17). It is one thing to preach against false doctrine in some general fashion when not faced with the consequences of it and quite another to have to take a stand against it that may be altogether unpopular (2 Tim. 4:1-5). Sometimes it takes a personal involvement to realize the heinous nature of fasle teaching and the deceitful ways in which its advocates attempt to spread it.

Over the last half a year, my family and I experienced several traumatic events that reinforced several biblical truths in my mind: It is not as though I did not know these truths or did not believe them: But the events referred to brought these truths out and made them more personal and applicable.

In October of last year, my wife’s grand-father passed away in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Having been notified by phone the evening of his decease, my wife and I began to make plans for her to fly up to be with the family. After making arrangements with the airline and taking care of several other related matters. I went down to a nearby ATM to make a cash withdrawal for her trip the next morning: After I withdrew the money, I was then accosted by a young titan who demanded the money (after indicating there would be trouble if I did.not comply). I surrendered the money and he escaped with another accomplice to a nearby car.

Nearly a month later, we planned a trip to Kentucky and through Georgia to pick up some of the furniture that had been left from the estate of my wife’s grandfather. Not having a vehicle of our own to pull the U-Haul trailer we would need, we were able to borrow a Suburban from a member of the church here in Baytown for the trip. We left on Thanksgiving day but that evening had car trouble and had to stop in Little Rock, Arkansas until repairs could be made the next morning. The next morning I went out to load our luggage and found that the Suburban and the U-Haul had both been stolen. We reported the incident, rented a car and returned home to Baytown to find that our house had been broken into and that several items had been stolen.

 If you had ever been the victim of such crimes, you know that there are a whole spectrum of emotions that you go through: disbelief, fright, anger and resentment, just to name a few. During the weeks following these events, I thought long and hard about several things. I would like to share with you some of the lessons that were etched into my mind as a result of these unfortunate events.

1. Evil Is Rampant. Having never experienced anything like this before, I realized that there are people in this world who do not give a hoot about other people’s possessions and feelings. Many in this world will do what it takes to pros-per, even if it means taking what does not belong to them. Paul spoke of the attitudes of these people in 2 Timothy 3:1-4:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

You may notice that several of the above descriptions are in bold print. These are some of the ones that I automatically identify with those who perpetrated such deeds. We are now reaping the fruit of the “Me Generation,” where the emphasis was placed on self and the instant gratification of one’s fleshly desires. No doubt some of the items that were stolen were sold to finance someone’s drug habit or other immoral behavior.

Such attitudes and behavior are somewhat shocking. I grew up in a family where I was taught to respect the belongings of people and to treat others as I wanted to be treated. To experience first-hand the covetous and ungodly attitudes of those who believe otherwise has been eye-opening.

I am convinced that a big part of this problem has its roots in a lack of discipline in the home, a breakdown of the family unit, and the resulting lack of respect for authority. When children are not required to respect and obey their parents, how in the world are they going to respect the property of others, much less the authority of government and God?! The intellectual elite of this country has pulled the wool over parents’ eyes by telling them that it is destructive and harmful to their children’s development for them to be spanked and disciplined on a regular basis. The Bible teaches that “foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Prov. 22:15). Some object to such practice by saying, “Oh, I love my children too much to spank them. I want my children to know that I love them and spanking does not convey love.” The Bible however, says, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes,” and, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Prov. 13;24; 19:18). If only parents would learn that discipline is a necessary form of love.

2. God Will Judge. The Bible teaches that each man is to be held accountable for his deeds (2 Cor. 5:10). Both in this life and in the life to come, the Bible teaches that there are punishments for disobedience.

First of all, God has ordained the civil government to be responsible for the punishment of evil doers. Paul wrote:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (Rom. 13:1-4).

Those who are disobedient to the laws of the land, and thus to the law of God, are to be punished for their disobedience. The civil government is ordained of God to punish those who work evil deeds. Some today protest that prisoners are not treated well and even speak of various forms of punishment as being cruel and unusual, the death penalty in particular. The truth of the matter is, criminals today are not being punished as they should (for the most part). This is one reason why such a large percentage of those arrested for certain crimes are ex-convicts who have not even been out of prison for more than three or four years. If our government would really get serious about crime and punishment, some of these activities could be curtailed: Having been through the experiences that 1 have, j would be wholeheartedly behind penalties such as the cutting off of the hands of those who steal. If such were carried out, it would not take long for many thieves to get the message (and before too long some repeat offenders would not even have the ability to steal!).

Secondly, I am also reminded that in the end, each per-son will have to give an account of his deeds before the Lord himself (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:5-11). This is significant in light of the fact that the civil authorities do not always have the ability to punish those that commit evil deeds. Not only is there a civil punishment to be meted out, there is also a spiritual punishment to be handed out to those who repent not of their wickedness. Paul speaks of the “indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish” that will befall the wicked upon the day of judgment (Roth. 2:8-9).

The fact that God is just and will punish those who commit such deeds is to be a source of comfort to those who are the children of God. In 2 Thessalonians 1;6-10, Paul speaks of the retribution and vengeance that will be handed out to those “who know not God and obey not the gospel.” David cried out to God regarding the wicked and said, “Break their teeth, 0 God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, 0 Lord: Let themaway as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun” (Psa. 58:6-8). Only one of the perpetrators involved in the crimes committed against my family has been caught. The sad thing is, the detective told me that since he was a juvenile, he will probably get off with just probation. In the mean time, the others involved in that crime as well as the other two have never been caught. Sadly, one day they will have to stand before a just God and be held accountable for their deeds.

3.God Is Merciful. The previous point regarding God’s justice and the coming judgment led me to think about and consider God’s mercy. Although I do not make my living as a thief, I realized that I too had been under the same condemnation as those who are thieves, murderers, rapists, etc. Paul said, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). In addition, James tells us that “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (Jas. 2:10). This consideration has caused me to reflect on the mercy and grace of our God. What deep love he has shown for us! How great is his mercy and grace, that he would pardon us who were his enemies and love us before we loved him (Rom. 5:8; 1 In. 4:9-10,19).

I also realize that although I may cry out unto God for justice, the same mercy that has been bestowed upon me can be bestowed upon those who violated my property and sense of security. The great depth of God’s mercy is demonstrated in that he even forgave those who crucified and rejected his Son (Acts 2:36-38; 3:14-15,19). The challenge for me is to be able to forgive those who have wronged me, when they repent, as the Lord has forgiven me (Matt. 6:14-15; Eph. 4:32).

The apostle Paul is a good example of one who deserved a just punishment for his sins, yet was able to find mercy. It is apparent that he felt the burden of the great debt that he owed to his Lord and the great grace which “was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” 1 Tim. 1:14). May we ever strive to give God the great glory and honor that he deserves for his work of salvation in Christ. And may we ever remember the great debt that was cancelled through his grace and the sacrifice that was necessary to accomplish such.

4. Material Possessions Are Perishable. One of the lessons that has been indelibly impressed on my mind is the fact that there are more important things than televisions, VCRs, money, cameras, clothes, cars, etc. After being robbed at the ATM machine, I have replayed the events in my mind numerous times, looking at what I could have done differently. For starters, I could have waited until the morning to go down to the cash machine. I also thought that perhaps if I would have challenged the perpetrator to prove he had a gun before handing the money over, I might have “called his bluff.” The flip side of that is that if I had been wrong, I could have lost my life and have left a wife with three children to care for on her own. In the final analysis, I did the only thing I could have done and am thankful that I was not injured, much less killed.

I am now able to better appreciate many of the warnings in the Bible related to the fleeting nature of material possessions. Jesus said:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust cloth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust cloth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matt. 6:19-20).

Until you actually experience it, it is hard to really believe how easy it is for someone else to come and take your possessions. The feelings of vulnerability and violation are immense. To know of the Lord’s promise that our treasure in heaven cannot be stolen or corrupted is an even greater comfort to me now than it was before.

I fear that a great problem we have in the church today is a love of material things. We have become so focused on this life and the enjoyment of it that some have placed their confidence in their possessions and worldly standing. Jesus used the parable of the rich fool to warn us regarding the danger of trusting in material possessions. He said:

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).

Friend, what good will it do you if you have great possessions come the day of judgment? You cannot take them with you (1 Tim. 6:7) and they may keep you out of the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:23-24). Jesus posed the question, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 16:26) I now understand by experience the fleeting nature of things temporal and the importance of laying up treasures in heaven and not on the earth.

5.Christians Are Compassionate People. When we made plans to go on our trip, we planned on leaving on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) and returning the following Monday or Tuesday. Since the vehicle we had borrowed had been stolen on Thanksgiving night, we rented a car and began the trip back home. We returned on Saturday (finding our house had been broken into) and informed several of the members here in Baytown what had happened.

On Sunday morning as we went to worship, people began coming up to us and handing us checks and cash to help in replacing some of the items that were lost. We figured that we had lost several thousand dollars of our own personal property in addition to the damage that was done to the Suburban we had borrowed and other property that had belonged to others. That afternoon, my parents flew in from the Atlanta area with more help from brethren in that area and my grandmother called from the Tampa area to tell me that she was sending some help in the mail from several brethren down there. All told, we were able to replace our property, repair the Suburban and return it to its owners and pay several other expenses related to the trip. Another family member called from the Birmingham area and offered help from the brethren there, which we declined. Even several weeks after the trip, we were still receiving monetary gifts from brethren in Georgia and Mississippi. The compassion and love that was demonstrated to our family was overwhelming. I again offer our heart-felt thanks to all those who helped and those who offered to help.

It is impossible for me to remember all those who helped since some of the gifts were given anonymously and others were passed on through other individuals. However, a special word of gratitude is in order for the members of the Pruett and Lobit church here in Baytown; for the members of the Jonesboro church of Christ in Jonesboro, Georgia and the Poplar Street church of Christ in Griffin, Georgia; for the members of the Morris Road church of Christ in Gulfport, Mississippi; and for the members of the Temple Terrace church of Christ in Temple Terrace, Florida. If I have omitted some, please forgive me and understand that it as an extremely traumatic time and it was very difficult to keep up with the records of who had given us what. We attempted to respond to each person or family individually, but I am afraid we may have left some out. Please accept our heart-felt thanks.

The examples in Acts 2:44-45 and 4:34-37 remind me of the attitude and disposition of those brethren who came to our aid. One passage however, really sticks out in my mind when I think of these brethren. In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus said:

Verily I say unto you, There is no man that bath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

What a blessing to know that there are those who are concerned enough to help! What comfort our brethren have been to us in our time of need! Their compassion and love is something that we will never forget and will set an example for us to follow for the rest of our lives.

The lessons I have had emphasized in my life as a result of these occasions have been taught in the Bible for a long time. Friend, do not wait until you too experience these type of things to learn these lessons. Learn to trust the wisdom of our Creator and to obey his will now while there is opportunity. Study your Bible and learn of his ways and his mercy. Do not trust in material possessions but trust in the Savior for your salvation. Then, you too may have the peace of God in your heart and the hope of eternal life in the world to come.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 16-19
June 17, 1993

By Lewis Willis

The Akron Beacon Journal (2-17-92) printed a notice that ABC Television had rejected an idea for a prime-time police drama series which would be R-rated because of its scenes of nudity. The series was suggested by Steven Bochco. Bochco said the proposal “scared them.” He proposed the series to network brass “to combat the networks ever-growing audience losses to cable.” His reasoning was “people are sure spending less time watching network television.”

Obviously, Bochco believes that nude scenes will bring people back to the networks. You know, he is probably right! And, that is what is so frightening about his proposal. Wickedness abounds in our beloved nation! There seems to be no end to it. As Paul said, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). As bad as it is, however, there is nothing “new” in this. Notice below the description by Paul of the sins of the Gentiles in his day (Rom. I:18-32). Also, notice how the sin progressed and worsened. This is what happened to the Gentiles:

“They glorified him not as God. .

“Neither were thankful. . .

“Became vain in their imaginations. . .

“Their foolish heart was darkened. .

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.. “Changed the glory of the uncorruptible God. . .”

“God also gave them up. .

“To uncleanness. . “

“Through the lust of their own hearts.

“To dishonour their bodies. . “

“Changed the truth of God into a lie.

“Worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator. . . “

“For this cause God gave them up. .

“Unto vile affections. . .”

“Their women did change the natural use. . .

“Men. . .burned in their lust. . .men with men. “Did not like to retain God in their knowledge. . “God gave them over. . .

“To a reprobate mind. . .

“To do those things which are not convenient. .

“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, . . . not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

It is evident that the Gentiles were progressing in sin, while falling farther and farther away from God. We seem to be no different. America is advised to hear this warning from Solomon in Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 14 p. 5
July 15, 1993

By John T. Lewis

We hear a great deal these days about balancing the budget. Whenever a government, city, county, or nation cannot balance its budget it is headed for chaos and disintegration. But I am not writing about balancing the budget in governmental affairs; but the great need of a balanced diet in the pulpits and the religious journals of our country.

Paul said to the church at Corinth: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. 1 fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able; for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?” (1 Cor. 3:1-4) Again Paul speaking of the priesthood of Christ, says: “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:11-14). If Paul were living today he could not describe the present day conditions of the church better than he did in the above quotations from his inspired pen. This unfortunate condition exists today not in one congregation; everywhere the church is being submerged by a tidal wave of sentimental, stand-for-nothingism.

If a gospel preacher goes to a place today and thunders away against the present day evils which are stopping the flow of spirituality and opening the flood gates of sensuality and infidelity, the chances are he will be accused of making personal issues, and be invited to leave town, without pay for his services. Or if an editor should permit a few articles dealing directly with the present day issues he will be swamped with letters telling him how he will have to run the paper or to stop it. These conditions are to a great ex-tent controlling the spiritual food or diet that is going out from our pulpits, and through our religious papers of to-day. What would you think of firemen on their way to a fire who would stop to listen to ever peanut on the way telling them how to fight the fire? Or what would you think of a fire chief that would stop fighting a fire to tell the curious crowd around, about the thousands of pretty buildings that were not on fire, and finally draw off his men because they were attracting too much attention to the fire? The chief of a fire department never calls his men away from a fire as long as he thinks there is a possiblity of a spark rekindling the blaze. That is my idea of fighting sin, and every departure from God’s truth. The popular ideas of preaching and religious journalism today would never rekindle the fires of Smithfield; but rather lead the church back to where it was during the “dark ages”  shrouded in Catholicism with human opinion as the standard of authority in all matters of religion.

If the present attitude toward religious papers, that con-tend for New Testament teaching and practice, is carried to its logical conclusion it would drive the Bible out of our homes. It is a common thing to hear church members say: “We quit taking the  because it was always fighting.” Now let us apply this theory to the New Testament. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves” (Matt. 23:15). Of course you would not want to hand this to your religious neighbors. It is not the spirit of Christ (?). You know we believe in “preaching the gospel in love.” “Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matt. 23:27-28). Who would want to hand this kind of literature to the hypocrites in the church today? Just such teaching would drive them away from the church! “Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrine the precepts of man” (Matt. 15:7-9). What right have we to talk about other people’s worship? So it would never do to hand the gospel according to Matthew to vain worshippers, hypocrites and false teachers.

“The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven.” Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would you also go away?” (Jn. 6:41-67) Preaching that would cause people of the world to murmur, and even drive “many disciples” away from the Lord, would certainly be out of harmony with the spirit of the age. Therefore if Jesus Christ were on earth today, in person, he would find many of the pulpits closed against him, and if he were publishing a religious paper it would not be allowed to come into many Christian (?) homes. You know the churches to-day believe in having “the spirit of Christ,” and in “preaching the gospel in love.” Any casual observer knows that “the spirit of Christ” today is quite different from what it was in the apostolic age. “But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, and said, 0 full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:9-10) It does not make any difference if the Bible does say Paul was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” any carnal minded Christian can tell you that he was not “preaching the gospel in love.” So if Paul were on earth today you certainly would not want him to hold your meeting because he would run all the Elymases away and that would be too bad.

Paul labored eighteen months at Corinth, on his second missionary journey, and he planted the church there. Soon after Paul left Corinth false teachers got into the church, and turned the people against Paul and his teaching. They became guilty of almost every sin that has ever been catalog-ed. Paul wrote them a letter, mentioned, and condemned their sins in the most withering terms. Thus he spread the whole disgraceful matter to the world. Brethren, do you think I Corinthians should be deleted from the New Testament? You know we ought not to let the world know any-thing about the factions, parties, and fornicators that are in the church today and any religious paper that would publish and condemn such things is not fit to hand to our neighbors or to go into Christian (?) homes!

A balanced diet therefore is not only to preach God’s love to the world; but also his wrath and condemnation against sin and sinners, in the church and out. (Reprinted from tl Gospel Guardian, October 1935, pp. 8-9.)

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 12-13
June 17, 1993

By Jady W. Copeland

For several reasons, God arranged for his people to meet for worship, teaching, exhortation and fellowship in the spiritual work of God. We are to meet to remember the death of Christ for our sins (Acts 20:7). While Luke says the purpose of meeting on that occasion was to “break bread” Paul also preached. It seems probable to this writer that he tarried several days in order to meet with the brethren at Troas, perhaps at the expense of some valuable time, since he “was hastening, if it were possible” to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). The Hebrew writer gives another reason for meeting when he writes, “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together” (Heb. 10:24-25). Meeting for worship, encouragement, edification and honoring God builds us up in the faith. Indeed we need each other.

But in order to meet, two things are necessary: (I) a place and (2) a time. Our study deals with the use of the Lord’s money in providing a place for Christians to meet.

It is not accidental, nor is it insignificant that there is not a passage in the New Testament that mentions God’s people owning a place of meeting. This is not to say that I believe it sinful for congregations to own buildings in which to worship. I am saying that since we know of no churches owning meeting houses, that emphasis in the New Testament was not placed on material buildings in which to worship. Emphasis was on worshipping God, and I am afraid that in our time too much emphasis has been placed on expensive buildings and that money has been unwisely used (if not actually sinful) in providing places of worship.

To illustrate what I am talking about, often elaborate buildings, fixtures, and expensive real estate have been bought when less expensive buildings on less expensive lots could have been utilized to serve the same need for brethren. What makes this even more questionable is that often these same churches will turn down appeals from brethren who need sup-port to go preach with the excuse that they “have no money.” And they don’t because they have spent too much on huge buildings, expensive fixtures, over-stuffed pews, stained-glass windows, etc. to make them “more comfortable” while turning a deaf ear to brethren begging for support to preach the gospel to nations that have never heard a gospel sermon. Brethren, think.

In the New Testament people met in “upper” rooms (whether rented, borrowed or what, we don’t know), people’s homes (1 Cor. 16:19; Rom. 16-3-5; Col. 4:15, etc.) and other places. The emphasis is on spiritual worship and preaching the gospel, not on the meeting places. Perhaps in our society and economy it is wise to build buildings in which to worship. But is it wise to spend more than necessary when the need for preaching the gospel is so great? I am fully aware that the amount we spend for buildings is a relative matter. I also realize that there is something to be said for a commodious building and one of which brethren are not ashamed when visitors come. But the person who is honestly seeking truth will not be so much attracted to the building as he is with the simple preaching of Christ and him crucified.

Meeting houses are expedients. W.E. Vine defines expedient like this: “(b) intransitively, to be an ad-vantage, profitable, expedient (not merely ‘convenient’) … ” (V. 2, p. 62). Buildings are profitable and definitely have an advantage in our world. But we all agree that owning one is not always necessary.

Some Things To Think About

It seems that some have the idea that a group must have a building before they have a church. The way some churches have done is to save up money for years in “hopes of someday starting a church.” Brethren don’t we have the “cart before the horse”? There is no need for a house if there is no church, and in my judgment the brethren who start meeting in a different place from the “old church” should build their own building when they are able to do so.

In fact I have known of some churches that couldn’t afford a building and really didn’t need one because of the lack of money and the peculiar situation.

In years passed brethren thought the building should be on a main artery through town so it “is easily visible.” Perhaps this had some merit, but largely those days are gone. Good churches aren’t “built” with fancy meeting houses. They are built by gospel preaching, dedicated people and scriptural work.

Another thing we need to consider. I think there is a connection between large, expensive buildings and the lack of true dedication to truth and spirituality. The reason I say this is that it seems when some people have moved from places where the “church is strong” (meaning there are many “churches of Christ”) and they have large buildings to a city where there is a small church with a very modest building, they don’t seem to be as dedicated as they thought they were. Are they ashamed of the building? Were they “going to church” in the former city because of the building, or the prestige that the church had in the community? Makes one wonder.

This is not to say that all who meet in large buildings are not spiritually minded and strong. Surely some are, but I’m afraid that some are so attracted to the material things of the world, that even in religion they put too much emphasis on the material things and too little on the spiritual.

For what is the building to be used? We have two extremes in this area  an area where there is admittedly some “gray” areas. Obviously it is to be used for worship and teaching. Otherwise the money that was used was wasted. It can easily be abused by using it for non-spiritual purposes such as entertainment, recreation and pleasure. The Lord’s money is to be used (as we noted in a previous article) for two things: preaching the gospel and limited benevolent work. Since we have to have a place to work and worship, the building is an expedient. To use it for other purposes would be a mis-use of it.

Yet do we often go to extremes in the other direction? Is it sinful to talk about non-spiritual things immediately after the services are over  in the building? I doubt it. There is, in my Judgment, a vast difference in a friendly conversation in the building about what you did last night (even if it was going to a ball game) and building that building (or even a part of it, such as a basketball court in the “recreation room”) and using the Lord’s money for playing games. Let us keep in mind the purpose for which the building was built. Let us keep in mind what the Lord’s money is to be used for. And let us use some common sense and the principles of God’s word in making such decisions.

That’s the reason we prefaced this series of articles with the purpose of Christ’s coming to earth, and our purpose as his children in his plan to save the world.

And let us keep in mind the purpose for which meeting houses are built and that they are merely expedients in our work for the Lord. To meet for worship is necessary (Acts 20:7). To teach and spread the gospel is necessary. The expedients (such as the places and the methods) are optional and we need to keep in mind the difference. Let us not let the desire for big buildings and fancy fixtures take precedence over the goal set before us, and what our real purpose is in this world.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 20-21
June 17, 1993