Biblical wisdom literature often encourages us to prefer one of two offered paths, when there are actually four possibilities. For example, we are told that it is better to have a little money and fear of the Lord than to have lots of wealth and big trouble with it (Prov. 15:16). We are also told that thin soup and thick love is better than a sumptuous meal and hatred around the table (Prov. 15:17). It is better to be humble and with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud (Prov. 16:19).
The old gospel hymn frames it this way: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold.” And this is very much a biblical way of thinking. But remember there are four possibilities. 1. You could not have Jesus and not have silver or gold. 2. You could not have Jesus and have silver or gold. 3. You could have Jesus and no silver or gold. 4. You could have Jesus and silver or gold.
It is the point of the wisdom comparison to make us realize that this fourth option is not nearly as easy as it looks. It was wealth and the cares of this world that choked out the crop in the parable. This is why Jesus warned about camels and the eye of the needle.
This said, it would be better to have a vibrant church that meets in a gym than to have a duddy-dead one meeting in an architectural glory. We say this, not because we are limiting ourselves to these two options, with only one righteous choice. We must always recall that there are four options, and two righteous choices. But at the same time, we are instructed to think this way so that we keep our priorities exactly where they ought to be.
It is relatively easy to keep these priorities now, because we are in a gym. But a certain kind of theology and preaching will dictate a certain kind of sanctuary, and this is healthy. When we get that sanctuary, we need to remember that the sanctuary will start to demand a certain kind of theology and preaching, and that will not be so healthy. So let the stones cry out.