The Bible doesn’t explicitly mention “cleaning the church” in the modern sense, but it does emphasize the importance of maintaining purity, respect for God’s house, and serving others, which can be applied to the idea of caring for the physical space where believers gather for worship.

Here are some biblical principles that can be related to cleaning and maintaining a church…

Respect for God’s House

In the Bible, the temple or house of God is considered a holy place. This can be seen in verses that highlight the importance of maintaining reverence and purity in the place where God’s presence dwells.

• Matthew 21:12-13 – Jesus cleanses the temple, saying, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” This act of cleaning the temple shows that the physical space where God is worshiped should be kept holy and pure.
• Psalm 84:10 – “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” This verse highlights the importance of the place where God’s people gather, implying that it should be a space of reverence.

The Importance of Cleanliness

While the Bible doesn’t directly command the cleaning of church buildings, it does place importance on cleanliness, especially in the context of spiritual purity and cleanliness of the heart.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” This emphasizes the importance of purity in both our hearts and, by extension, the places where we worship.
• 1 Peter 1:16 – “Be holy, because I am holy.” This speaks to the need for reverence in every aspect of our lives, which can extend to how we care for our place of worship.

Serving Others

Cleaning the church can be seen as an act of service to both God and the church community. In the New Testament, serving others is a significant aspect of living out the Christian faith.

• 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Cleaning the church is a practical way to serve and contribute to the church community, helping create an environment where people can focus on worship and fellowship.
• Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Cleaning the church is an act of service that can be done with the mindset of honoring God.

Orderliness and Tidiness

The Bible encourages order and tidiness in all things, including worship spaces.

• 1 Corinthians 14:40 – “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” This principle of orderliness can apply to the cleanliness and maintenance of the church, ensuring that it is a welcoming and organized space for worship and fellowship.

While the Bible doesn’t specifically command cleaning the church building, it does emphasize the importance of honoring God’s house, maintaining purity, and serving others. Keeping the church clean can be seen as a way of respecting the space where believers gather to worship, as well as serving the community in a practical way. Cleanliness, orderliness, and reverence all contribute to creating an environment where God’s presence is honored, and the congregation can focus on spiritual growth.