September 7, 2018

Check Your Motives

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘“My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” – Matthew 21:12-13

“’Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe” – safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! Declares the LORD. – Jeremiah 7:9-11

It was just good business. Someone needed to change the Roman and Greek money for Jewish and Tyrian money. Someone needed to provide the offerings, for purchase of course, for those who traveled a distance to make sacrifices at God’s Temple.

What was the harm? Everyone needs to make money. They were just part of the outdoor market. Except it was God’s Temple. It wasn’t a place of business. They somehow missed that part.

So do we sometimes. Think about this: A woman steps up to lead a class at church. And she uses class time to promote her own business. Another woman sees the response of a church activity and quickly offers something similar for profit at her business. Is either illegal? Of course not. One could say both women are just being smart businesswomen. But where does the ethical line get drawn? When do we stop serving God and only serve our own best interests?

It’s been done always. We do business with other church members. We support each other. We like to keep it all in the family, so to speak. That’s a good thing – until it’s not.

A local church has tried for years to grow its membership. It seems to be a wonderful church with solid teaching with a little fun on the side. The problem? Well, it’s two-fold. First, it has a group of members who are happy to add workers but not willing to share control. They make the decisions and they will sharply push anyone aside who might have a suggestion or want to join in the discussions. Second, they only take care of their own. Don’t expect outreach or a helping hand if you aren’t a member. For that matter, don’t expect it unless you’re from one of the ruling families or are somehow connected. It’s not about Jesus, something others are quick to see.

Do they truly want to grow their membership? Absolutely. They want your money and your name on their rolls. But don’t expect anything else. It’s just so sad.

Several years ago our contemporary worship committee decided to sell merchandise before and after the service and during the fellowship time. They even promoted the merchandise at the beginning of the service, Needless to say, there was a great deal of criticism and the whole idea flopped. It was just wrong to use worship to make money and promote your “business.”

I wonder if we’ve somehow forgotten what worship is all about. I wonder if we’ve lost sight of what being the church is all about. We’re so focused on benefiting ourselves that we miss the heart of God.