 Meditation:
During my time in college, I was able to spend a semester in Germany. As part of our studies, we visited churches and studied their architectural styles, fitting the styles into the period and history during which they were built.
As part of my reflection, I found myself thinking about the vast resources used to construct these buildings. Most of the people of those times were desperately poor. They were heavily taxed to build these churches.
I found myself wondering if the money would not have been better spent to feed and clothe these people. Were these buildings not an affront to the servant Jesus?
Of course, I had often heard people quote this sentence of Jesus, to justify the condition of the poor and needy. If the poor will be with us always, why feel guilty about spending our money on other things, especially those things that seem designed to bring glory to God?
Over time, I came to read the passage in its larger context. I also came to appreciate the faith and hope these church building brought to those who worshipped in them. I understood that it was not one or the other; it was not help the poor or worship Jesus. Rather, the worship we bring to God is a vital part of our ability to serve God’s people.
This is not to say that all spending on bricks, mortar, programs or other commodities is justified. Sin creeps into us and pushes us to use resources for our glory, not God’s. Thus, Jesus’ words remain true: We will always have the poor with us.
We will always have the poor with us, not because we choose to glorify God, but because we spend our resources in ways that do not glorify God. Jesus knew our failings and knew that until he comes again, this earth will reflect those failings. However, in using our resources to worship God, we are led to use those resources to serve God’s people. Rather than either/or, it is both/and. |
