Johnny lost me right there.
First, it's simply not true. Stained glass is expensive, but not that expensive.
Second, that stained glass was made by somebody, and it did feed his family for some period of time. Should the glazier have said 'take this job and shove it?' I think NOT.
Third, the money for that stained glass was given for the purpose of buying it by somebody who earned it.
Fourth, I can't say for sure about the particular church Johnny visited, but most that I'm aware of would be happy to help the wino. Mine would. It also wouldn't have turned Johnny away, so there's that too.
Fifth, the whole song reeks of smarmy snobbishness. Ick.
To live forever in heaven with you: well, I’d sure hate to be in this crowd.
Yes, indeed ... I thank thee Lord that I am not like other men ....
But I’ll tell you: I believe a man is judged by what’s in his heart, not what’s in his bank account.
Yet that's precisely what he's doing.
The stained glass window, IMHO, is symbolic for displaying religion instead of living that religion. Paycheck’s song, (again IMHO) illustrated that scrubbed faces, nice clothes, shiny cars are not displays of religious values. A church that turns a lamb away based on hair length, clothing styles, facial hair etc... is simply a country club of sorts. I love the song and always have. How many front row Christians... there every Sunday for all to see.. are rotten Christians the other six days a week? I’ve known quite a few and I am sure my church isn’t different than any others. Paycheck’s song asks the question about being religious and presenting oneself as religious when they aren’t.