God's Punishment

 On May 20, 2010, I posted the following message:

Taking a Stand

In Monday's Dallas Morning News newspaper there was a front-page article about how the members of First Baptist Church of Dallas, TX, one of the nation's largest Baptist churches, had pledged $115 million to renovate their facilities. This incensed me that they would spend so much money on making themselves more comfortable when so many people are hurting financially right now. I wrote the following e-mail to the newspaper on Monday.

"So First Baptist Church of Dallas is raising $115 million to remodel their buildings. What an abomination to God! In the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression, when so many people are out of work and in need of help, when so many people are hurting, instead of making a greater effort to reach out and help these people and the poor, FBC Dallas is gathering a record amount of money to revamp their property! How self-centered! What pride! What arrogance! What greed! What a complete abomination to God they are!

Oh yes, I know, they'll say that the leaders prayed about it and felt that it was God's leading to do this. Let me ask them this: "Would God approve of wasting so much money on yourselves when there are so many hurting people out there? Would God sanction such self-centeredness, such self-indulgence, such pride?" Oh, I know FBC gives money to different charities. Well, just think how much more good you could do with $115 million, instead of spending it on yourselves.

Acts 17:24,25 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelling not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is He worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.

This is what the paper published on the following Wednesday.

"So First Baptist Church of Dallas is raising $115 million to remodel their buildings. What an abomination to God! In the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression, when so many people are out of work and in need of help, when so many people are hurting, instead of making a greater effort to reach out and help these people and the poor, FBC Dallas is gathering a record amount money to revamp their property! How self-centered! What pride! What arrogance! What greed! What a complete abomination to God they are!"

The time has come for us to take a  stand against the greed, self-centerness, arrogance and lukewarm/cold hearts that fill the churches today. We can be silent no longer!

 

 

Update - July 23, 2024

 

On Friday night July 19, 2024 a major fire destroyed the historic chapel of First Baptist Church. This was Robert Jeffries', pastor of the church, statement on Sunday:

DALLAS (AP) — The leader of an historic church in downtown Dallas nearly destroyed by a fire told congregants on Sunday that they will rebuild the iconic structure.

Services for First Baptist Dallas were held at the nearby Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where senior Pastor Robert Jeffress said they will rebuild the sanctuary, which now appears as a charred shell, with its stained glass windows ruined and virtually everything inside its brick walls destroyed.

“If we allow that thing to remain in ruins, it will look to the whole world like we’ve been defeated by the evil one, so we’re going to rebuild,” Jeffress said. “I’m not saying we’re going to duplicate every square inch of that worship center. ... We’re going to remember that historic place of worship and do everything we can to honor it.”

God's ways and timing of dealing with those who stray from His path are not gentle, nor is He a respecter of persons or buildings. Robert Jeffries will never see this tragedy as God's punishment, he thinks satan is the  cause of this.