John 2:14-16 Keep God Mighty In His House
14 And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!”
When I was a young boy, like so many kids, I would be asked to raise money for my school or the Boy Scouts. I really did not like to do it, but I did it how. Once I was raising money for my Boy Scout troop, selling something I cannot remember. Standing in a neighbor’s yard, but outside his fence, his dog barked at me. The owner of the house came out, and ask why I made his dog bark, and I informed him I selling to raise money for my scout troop. My neighbor then told me thanks but no thanks, he was pastor, today is Sunday, and it was against God’s word to do business on the Lord’s day. I really thought nothing of it and try to sell to other neighbors but I rose little if anything. Many Christian establishments are not open on Sunday and will not do any business. Chick-fil-A is one, and Hobby Lobby is another. Blue laws used to exist in America that did not allow them. Alcoholic beverages to not be allowed to sell on Sundays, and many places like bars and pubs were not open. Blues laws hardly exist anymore, even in churches, business is allowed, and most see nothing wrong with it. Some will sell a cup of tasty coffee, with a coffee cup with the church names and scripture on it. Some will sell t-shirts, beanies, or hoodies with scripture and the church’s name on it. This kind of behavior in God’s house made the Lord Jesus very upset in the gospel of John chapter 2. Going to the Lord’s house is about offering self up to the Lord. Worship being no profit you have, give yourself and not your income. The church should only be only preaching and teaching God’s word on the days of worship. The only money exchanging that should be done is giving a tithe and offering, but nothing so be demanded, or even sold. I remember and honor the Lord’s Sabbath day, which is on Saturday and not Sunday. Many Christians will proclaim Sunday is the Sabbath at least the Lord’s day. Yet they do not honor Sunday as the Sabbath they proclaim is between them and God. Many will go out to eat after service and will pay someone to cook for them and serve them. Many will watch ungodly entertainment, or partake in idle behavior that is okay six days a week. The Lord wants His house to be a place of worship, not of business or commerce. Keep your money in your pocket, but give your heart to the Lord, in worship. That is all He really wants. God bless you all, the Lord Jesus loves you and so do I. His humble bondservant, Samuel Jerry Head.
