Maybe taxes would lead to leaner churches, more focused on Christ and fellowship, rather than spreading out, building, acquiring property and larger estates, diversifying, and so on.
The simpler and more compact the building and property, and the more focused the purpose, would reduce the tax burden of the congregation.
Interesting idea.
Maybe taxes would lead to leaner churches, more focused on Christ and fellowship, rather than spreading out, building, acquiring property and larger estates, diversifying, and so on.You make a good point, because in the book of the Revelation, Jesus said to the Church of Smyrna;
"I know your works, tribulation, and poverty.....
The city of Smyrna was famous for science and medicine and was a very wealthy city, but the church itself suffered in abject poverty because its professing members would not renounce Christ in order to get work from the local trade unions.
Of the seven churches mentioned by Christ, Smyrna is the only one that still remains to this day. Still poor, but still faithful.
An abundance of silver and gold does not make a church wealthy, nor effective. As is often the case, wealth has a tendency to distract people from their goals. Whether it be the leadership of the church or it's congregation, to whom much is given much is expected.
So I guess it would be an example where less can be more.