Christ warned His followers they would be cast out of the congregational buildings (synagogues). Christ expected that those who cast them out would keep possession of the buildings. For Christ’s outcast followers, they were told to then worship in their homes:
“And again I say unto you, Go into the world and do not care for the world, for the world will hate you and will persecute you and will turn you out of their synagogues. Nevertheless, you shall go forth from house to house teaching the people, and I will go before you.” NC Matt. 3:35
Christ’s prophecy describes the religious people in control of the religious buildings as merely part of “the world.” They may have brick-and-mortar structures to house their false faith, but they remain only part of “the world.”
Christ’s disciples only need houses in which to teach His truths.
How much greater good can be done when resources are not diverted to buying land and building synagogues. All those funds become available to help the poor among the believers. Christ makes it clear that He and His Father are not jealous of the tithes and offerings of His people. He wants the poor, the widows and the fatherless to have claim on the resources gathered by His followers.
Christ’s teaching goes hand-in-hand with Malachi’s warning about diverting wealth to benefit the priests, rather than gathering the tithes and offerings to bless His house (people) with “food” to meet their need:
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” OC Mal. 1:7.
If believing people gather their tithes, there will be enough for food in God’s house, or for God’s people. It should never be the case that meetinghouses divert resources away from caring for the poor, the widows, the fatherless. Nor should anyone be compensated for priestly service. Faith requires sacrifice, not compensation. If you are paid for your service, then your service cannot produce faith.