The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in John 2:16,
"Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!"
Jesus told this to those who sold animals for the temple worship in Jerusalem, as well as the money changers there. It was at the time of Passover and many had arrived from long distances for the observation. As such they needed what would be required for the temple sacrifices. The activity had become such that turned the temple grounds into a market. Jesus took great exception to it. The principle is clear: the worship of God is a sacred activity, not to be contaminated with the pursuit of making money.
I suspect many of us have felt some discomfort toward those who have come into a community of believers and used the worship services, prayer meetings and Bible studies as opportunities to make contacts for business. I have seen this with insurance agents, peddlers of Tupperware and other products, those representing the myriad of pyramid schemes, and so forth.
Additionally, I suspect many have felt put off by some churches that always seem to be fund raising as well. The need for a youth pastor, a desire to re-do the nursery, a new building, or carpet and pews, etc. Not that these things are not needed in a setting with large congregations, I wouldn't argue that point. But, the focus can be at times shifted from the magnificence of the Lord and on to the project that requires funding - hopefully you get my drift here.
In 1 Peter 2:4-5 we read, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Certainly there is the time and place for commerce. However, when it is time to come before our God to worship him, that worship needs to kept from the distractions of the market. And, quite possibly, the better place to make an appeal for giving to the needs of the ministry might be best made in a news letter or some other venue.
There is something that needs to be said to church leaders here. Worshipers who come to extol the perfections of God, to praise him for his many wonderful acts, should never be viewed as opportunities for fund raising. They come to worship their God, and I can't help but think that when a pastor or elders in a fellowship intrude into that sacred activity, they place themselves between God and those who have come to extol his greatness. I think there may have to be some accounting for that before the Lord.
And, it should go without saying that anyone who joins a fellowship to broaden a base of clients for business should be removed from that fellowship. The worship of God by his people is a serious business. Just ask the vendors of sacrificial animals and the money changers of Jesus day...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!"
Jesus told this to those who sold animals for the temple worship in Jerusalem, as well as the money changers there. It was at the time of Passover and many had arrived from long distances for the observation. As such they needed what would be required for the temple sacrifices. The activity had become such that turned the temple grounds into a market. Jesus took great exception to it. The principle is clear: the worship of God is a sacred activity, not to be contaminated with the pursuit of making money.
I suspect many of us have felt some discomfort toward those who have come into a community of believers and used the worship services, prayer meetings and Bible studies as opportunities to make contacts for business. I have seen this with insurance agents, peddlers of Tupperware and other products, those representing the myriad of pyramid schemes, and so forth.
Additionally, I suspect many have felt put off by some churches that always seem to be fund raising as well. The need for a youth pastor, a desire to re-do the nursery, a new building, or carpet and pews, etc. Not that these things are not needed in a setting with large congregations, I wouldn't argue that point. But, the focus can be at times shifted from the magnificence of the Lord and on to the project that requires funding - hopefully you get my drift here.
In 1 Peter 2:4-5 we read, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Certainly there is the time and place for commerce. However, when it is time to come before our God to worship him, that worship needs to kept from the distractions of the market. And, quite possibly, the better place to make an appeal for giving to the needs of the ministry might be best made in a news letter or some other venue.
There is something that needs to be said to church leaders here. Worshipers who come to extol the perfections of God, to praise him for his many wonderful acts, should never be viewed as opportunities for fund raising. They come to worship their God, and I can't help but think that when a pastor or elders in a fellowship intrude into that sacred activity, they place themselves between God and those who have come to extol his greatness. I think there may have to be some accounting for that before the Lord.
And, it should go without saying that anyone who joins a fellowship to broaden a base of clients for business should be removed from that fellowship. The worship of God by his people is a serious business. Just ask the vendors of sacrificial animals and the money changers of Jesus day...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment