Why do Christians build churches? It opposes Jesus's Teachings.

I concur. Most Churches are full of idolatry too.

church is within your soul not in some building

If you sell everything you will be poor. Therein lies quite a paradox.

I assume you didn't read the entire chapter that contains Matthew 6:19. That part of Jesus's sermon has to do with our expectations for doing right action.

The gist is that if a person's heart is set on receiving praise from other humans for doing the right thing, then they're doing it for the wrong reasons. Honor and accolade given by humans for an act will eventually fade.

However if, one's heart is set on receiving praise from God for right action, then the honor for such actions is Eternal. 6:24 continues this theme stating that in the same sense, you cannot serve both God and Money. If you perform right action expecting monetary return, you are committing much the same error as you would be if you expected praise.

In other words...nothing about Church building, but if they did it so you would say nice things about them, they'd be doing it wrong.

Luke 14:33 has to do with the cost of following after Christ--which is effectively speaking, everything. In the preceding verses, Jesus makes use of a literary device known as metaphor. Pointing out the absurdity of following him in a half-assed, liking it to leaving a building half finished, the section culminates in verse 33. In short, you are not being a Disciple if you are doing it half-heartedly.

Next, going on to Matthew 19:21 and the Rich Young Ruler. There is surrounding context here as well, but think of 19:21 with respect to 19:17. "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

This impetuous young fellow then claims he has kept every single one of the commandments. There is more than a hint of pride here--and that is why Jesus tells him to go and sell everything. Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Think of this episode in the context of the section surrounding 6:19. The problem is not the wealth per se, but the value the young man places upon his worldly goods.

Hebrews 13:5 follows this theme stating "Keep your lives free from the love of money." This verse is prescriptive and follows EXACTLY what Jesus was speaking about in Matthew. The verse in Phillipians you cite further refines the idea. Christians are to do nothing out of selfish ambition--or vain conceit.

Finally the last bit of Acts(2:44-45) you cite is descriptive, and not prescriptive although we can look at it as an idea of how a Church should operate. And it does indicate that aiding those in need has and should continue to be a major function of a Church. If a Church can better serve the community with a basketball court, so be it. If the court furthers Evangelism, so be it.

Consider in the context of Christianity, the implications behind Jesus's reprimand of Judas Iscariot for criticizing Mary Magdalene's seeming "waste" of perfume disproves this idea that all wealth is meant to be funneled into charity.

I think, that if Christians were to follow the advice put forth in your post, they would be committing the same error as Judas Iscariot.

Your post criticizing their buildings as being inherently selfish, and prideful, basically presumes to know their innermost motivations as a whole congregation. It's also probably a sign that they're doing it right.


For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks upon the Heart.

Space Cowboy: They are doing exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught, and being prideful (by bragging about it) and arrogant (by stating that it was a gift from God) and misleading (God didn't give it to them, rather, it was the donations by the churchgoers and the tax-exempt status of the church) . You apparently have blinders turned on, or just run through the usual dissonance filters.

Although some churches are filled with pride and whatnot, I don't think that God has any problems with people building houses of worship since we have the instinct to do so. Let me explain, for every human need that requires group activity, people build buildings.
Families require a dwelling, homes are built.
Government requires a place to meet, buildings are built.
A man wants to sell items, a store is built.
People must gather to worship, a church is built.

Thing is the church is for fellowship.. thats the way I see it and I think that's the purpose for it. There is too much "preaching the word" instead of living the word... plus also the church acts as the storehouse for God..

Its just today.. there are a lot of churches not doing their duties

I'm sorry, I looked through my Bible but I couldn't seem to find Luke 14crookedsmileyface. Is that in the NIV or something?

Christians hardly ever follow Christ's teachings.