Vol. IV No. 20 July 10, 2005

Building Solomon’s Temple in Texas

Written by Christopher Mentzer

There’s an old saying, “Everything is Bigger in Texas.” And to look at some of the things in the state, you’d have to agree. So it comes as no surprise when the discussion of churches is brought up, that Texas is mentioned and that it has a bigger church too!

On July 16 and 17, Joel Osteen’s church, The New Lakewood Church has its grand opening. The previous Lakewood building housed about 25,000 members and the new one is to hold about twice that amount. Formerly the Compaq arena, which was the home of the Houston Rockets, Osteen and his group, purchased the unused building. With the help of a $90 million renovation they are transforming it into a bigger Megachurch. How big? A friend of mind saw the initial interior of the structure on television and could only compare it to the Titanic.

On a website called www.inconbusters.com, there is an open letter to those who attend Lakewood Church. The church is referred to as the Laodicea (Rev. 3: 14-22) of Texas. It also refers to the members as deceived. The letter has received many negative responses. One such letter featured this statement:

“King Solomon built the Lord's Temple with such lavishness, expense, that it took the Queen of Sheba's breath away when she saw it.  Why is it a sin to build a fine, state-of-the art facility in these times for our Lord?  It takes money to reach the lost.”

Now let’s break this into two sections. First, why is it a sin to build such a large facility for the Lord? The answer to that question lies in Luke 18 when Jesus was talking to the rich young ruler. In verse 22 Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Don’t you think if Jesus wanted such a lavish building created he would have welcomed this man, and his money, with open arms? The scriptures never mentioned the need for an extravagant building. In fact, Jesus also said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) I doubt two or three need such a huge building.

The other half of the response is also interesting: “It takes money to reach the lost.” Again, where do the scriptures say this? I read in Matt. 10 that when the twelve apostles were sent out Jesus said in verse 9, “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses.” And just one verse prior he stated, “…freely ye have received, freely give.”

Peter reprimanded Simon the sorcerer when he tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Acts 8: 20-21)

Again I am reminded of the parable of the rich man who had much harvest in Lk. 12: 16-20. He spent his entire time tearing down his storage to build bigger. And the outcome was this, “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” What good would this building serve if the Lord took Joel Osteen before his grand opening? Exactly how much money does it cost to go to your next-door neighbor and share the gospel with them? Paul wrote to Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain: 7. for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; 8. but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.” Nowhere does it say you need money to reach the lost.

God never asked for another great temple to be built. But He does want us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4: 24)