Money also plays an emotional role in all of us. We need it but it has the tendency to take precedence in our lives and even in ways we do not realise too. Take for example working on Sunday - why do you do it? Even if you are salaried or hourly paid or a business owner it's because whatever it is you are working on during your supposed rest hours has a money trail behind it even when that money is not going directly to your pocket. Now here is how it all started. I believed in supporting my church such was my loyalty that I would rather buy books from its bookshop than anywhere else. One particular Sunday I needed to pick up a book for my mum that I had pre-ordered weeks before (oh and by the way I had moved out of town and was so committed to my church that I would drive an hour each way for Sunday morning service). I had seen the same book online and cheaper but decided to support my church. After service I rushed to be the first at the queue to pick up my book so that I could get away but although I was first in line I was kept waiting in favour of others that had products in hand as mine required staff going to the back to check. Despite ringing them earlier in the week to say that I lived out of town and to keep the book for me they said they did not hold it and that I could order it again and it would take another three weeks. Needless to say I was disappointed on several grounds - firstly they had made no effort, secondly the long wait, thirdly it was at the most expensive price and fourthly the customer service was so shabby and unapologetic. A friend that stood with said "oh well you can't get upset. It's church and these guys are volunteers..." but that was exactly my point. I was questioning why I did what I did and the way I did it and despite providing custom to a store they would treat me that way. Why did I insist on buying it through the church anyway?
Challenge: Is it OK to buy and sell in the house of the Lord?
Some of the things we do today are the result of a series of small changes that have been introduced as harmless innovations that have ultimately led to the way modern day churches are set up. If we run through this carefully, say for example you were setting up a church today what would you include in your plans: a bookshop, a cafe, a creche, a school,... etc The list grows when you look about you these days. Of these things how many of them are chargeable, donation based or simply free? I know what you are thinking of course we need to charge for these things they do not pay for themselves. However that is not the challenge when we take a look at Matthew 21:12-13
"12 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. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]”
We can see Jesus was at the temples courts - not in the sanctuary - and take a look at the types of people he was driving out. Both buyers and sellers that include money changers and dove merchants. In the gospel of Mark it adds in v16 that ... "and [He] would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts"
Jesus was not against buying and selling rather He was against doing so at the Temple because it took emphasis away from worship towards material things. We need to remember that God looks at the heart (1Samuel 16:7) and as much as we think that doing some of these thing are pure Proverbs 16:2 reminds us that the Lord weighs all motives.
If you are still not sold on this idea then let me challenge you further. Take a look at the sellers. What were they selling and why were they selling them at the Temple courts? Why did the buyers buy at the Temple courts? To put these in context we need to put ourselves in their shoes and visualise what it must have been like to be a Jew living in those times. There was only one place of worship and it was this Temple in Jerusalem. The bible tells us that God's people came from all the lands to worship at the Temple. As part of worship people gave money in offerings but coming from different lands meant some would need to change their money to local currency before they could give it in worship. In addition where a person could not afford a lamb they could bring two doves instead as a penalty for their sin (Leviticus 5:7). The fact is that the items being sold in the Temple were relevant for worship and selling them in the Temple was ideal! The marketing four Ps theory of product, price, place and promotion could not have been better exemplified than in this context. The sellers had the products the people needed and in the most convenient place. In the modern day church it appears that the order of service has become: opening prayer, worship songs, announcements that involves materials people ought to buy from the church shop 'spiritual growth', more songs, collection, preaching (usually left till the end and in some cases rushed or unfinished as time runs out) then quick prayer & exit. At exit people rush to get the tapes or materials and also queue to buy snacks from cafeteria etc. Does any of this sound familiar? Let me tell you that Jesus was making a point about the fact that the people's hearts were well away from worship and distracted by trade. The one time in the week that you have the opportunity to gather as His body to pray over things we have the power to change is being distracted by the social aspect of it? 2Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land". Further in Matthew 6:24 He reminded us that “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money".
Now have you ever thought to yourself of all the distracting sins such as (sexual immorality, murder etc) He could have mentioned it was money that was the key opposing factor to serving God? 1Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs".
Challenge: whatever happened to freely?
We need to watch our doctrines and be careful what we preach in our churches by our actions. As such I believe that it does not matter if you are buying a t-shirt that says 'I LOVE JESUS' or a really good christian book - do it at the right place and at the right time otherwise you are no different from a Sunday trader. God calls us to obedience. It was not easy but I eventually left that church (and you should never leave unless asked by the Lord to do so for who knows He may be looking to you to point out the faults that He has shown you?). Things got as far as paying for tickets for gatherings, paying for counselling, even selling Passion for Christ (the movie merchandise that was a package of 1 bible plus cross and a band) via ushers in the sanctuary! In the modern day church I am sure it is laughable that I find this appalling but let me tell you what was really driving me and it is the fact that when Jesus sent out His disciples in Matthew 10:8 He instructed them to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give".
Not saying that all this is as easy as it sounds to accomplish but by grace and with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). For e.g. I would like to think that if I were to publish a Christian book I would make it freely available and allow people to make free copies because it is about the message and breaking the yoke that binds us? Do you agree or disagree? Further rather than churches having a bookshop why not have a library? I am happy to donate Christian books I have read to bless others as well as borrow. I envision the kind of church that anybody that is curious about the Lord can walk in with ample access to resources that would help them grow to know Him and submit to Him be that by free food, free materials etc... that is what would make a difference in the world we live today. That is what will make a church stand out from other religions and charitable institutions about. I believe God wants a church (a body) that is distinct from the world - yes it is not easy but He pulls a miracle when we have done our bits such that we never lack as we give room for Him to make His home with us.
So if you are someone that trades or buys in church please be advised DON'T BE A MONEY CHANGER AND DON'T LET MONEY CHANGE YA!
Prayer
Dear Father,
Thank you for your generosity in giving us so many gifts and freely! Help us Lord to be able to work together as a church to care for our communities by being fervent in our togetherness in prayers and to give freely of the knowledge, power and resources that we are able to gather for the advancement of your kingdom. Forgive us Lord where we have fallen short of this and direct us onto the right paths. To you be all the glory, honour and praise. In the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
With love...
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