There is news about the church buildings being demolished by government agencies. The reason varies like being built on forest, government, or encroached land…etc. It is painful to see a good investment reduced to rubble. First, it is done by ignorance of the law, there is no excuse. Second, it could be arrogance, thinking they are above the law. Spiritual pride makes them think they are not bound by the law of the land. Third, many people are doing that, by building houses or shops or religious places, so churches also could be built like that. In the Bible there are examples of people of God, how they paid for using the land. Building churches on legally procured land and purchasing graveyards are biblical principles.
Model of Abraham:
When Sarah died, Abraham wanted to bury her. He had obeyed the Lord and followed Him without a destination, later with a Promised Land. The Promised Land was not yet given. Hence, as a stranger or an immigrant, he pleaded with the people for a place to bury Sarah. The Hittites offered free land among all their properties for Abraham to choose from. He chose the cave of Machpelah owned by Ephron the son of Zohar and paid the cost of four hundred shekels of silver. (Genesis 23: 1-20)
Model of David:
The foolish decision of David to take a census, even when warned by Joab led to the plague. David wanted to sacrifice unto the Lord. The site chosen belonged to Ornan the Jebusite. Though he offered it free, David refused to receive it without cost. “So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site.” Later David built the altar and God answered by sending fire on the sacrifices offered on the altar. (I Chronicles 21:25-26)
Jeremiah purchased land:
God commanded Jeremiah to instruct his cousin Hanamel to purchase a field in their hometown Ananthoth, three miles from Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 32:1; 1:1), it was occupied by Babylon, it was worthless, but it was an act of faith.
Do I do only lawful things?