When Church Becomes Business. Series

The Bible warns us about the dangers of loving money and materialism. In 1 Timothy 6:10, we read, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains." This scripture is not just a warning against personal greed but also against institutional corruption. We see a similar warning in Jesus' words, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24).

The Rise of the Mega-Church Model

The mega-church model, while successful in terms of attendance and revenue, often prioritizes spectacle over substance. Flashy productions, elaborate lighting, and celebrity pastors have become the norm. But is this really what Jesus meant when He said, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19)? Or have we watered down the Gospel to appeal to the masses? Consider the example of Jesus Himself, who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, not on a parade float. He didn't need spectacle to draw crowds; His message and character were enough.

The Cost of Commercialization

When churches prioritize commercialism over community, several things happen:

The Message is Watered Down: The Gospel becomes a self-help message rather than a call to repentance and faith. This is reminiscent of Balaam's error, where he tried to bless Israel for a price (Numbers 22-24). We must be careful not to compromise the message for financial gain.

The Congregation is Consumerized: Members become customers rather than disciples, expecting entertainment rather than spiritual growth. In contrast, the early church in Jerusalem shared everything in common, and "there was not a needy person among them" (Acts 4:34). They valued community over consumerism.

The Mission is Compromised: Instead of serving the community, churches focus on growing their brand. Consider Jesus' words, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). If our churches are not serving the community, are we truly following Jesus' example?

A Call to Return to Authenticity

It's time for the church to re-examine its priorities. We need to return to the simplicity and authenticity of the early church, where believers gathered in homes, shared meals, and supported one another. We need to rediscover the beauty of genuine community, where people are valued over profits. As the apostle Paul wrote, "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Our love for others should be genuine, not transactional.

A New Path Forward

So what can we do? Here are a few steps:

Re-focus on Discipleship: Prioritize spiritual growth over spectacle. Consider Jesus' words, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people" (Matthew 4:19). Our focus should be on making disciples, not just attracting crowds.

Serve the Community: Look for ways to serve the community, rather than expecting the community to serve the church. As Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). This should be the guiding principle of our churches.

Emphasize Authenticity: Value genuine relationships over flashy productions. In 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul writes, "Our pride comes from what Christ has done through us." Let's focus on what Christ is doing in our lives, rather than what we're doing for show.

Let's not forget that the church is not a business; it's a body of believers called to serve and love one another. May we find the courage to return to the simplicity and authenticity of the Gospel, and may our churches become beacons of hope and love in a world that desperately needs it.