"JESUS CLEANED HOUSE..."
By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
John 2:14-16 records
Jesus’ cleansing of
the temple in
Jerusalem. He found
in the temple those
who sold oxen and
sheep and doves, and
the money changers.
Jesus the worshiper
now became a
reformer, as He did
not like what He
saw. That being -
the place of worship
had become a place
of commerce. The
Sanhedrin was
permitting this and
probably was
controlling such for
its own financial
interest
(trafficking in
sacrificial animals
and money changing).
This traffic, which
was carried on in
the large area known
as the Court of the
Gentiles, was to the
advantage of the
pilgrim, since he
could acquire his
sacrifice here
rather than bring it
with him.
Presumably there was
a guarantee that the
animal was "without
blemish." Various
kinds of coinage
could be changed at
the tables for the
Palestinian half
shekel required for
the annual temple
tax. This
trafficking turned
the Temple into an
emporium of trade.
Infuriated at the
irreverence, Jesus
responded by
creating a whip out
of the ropes lying
around the area.
With this whip he
drove the men and
the animals out of
the temple area and
upset the tables of
the money changers.
Seemingly, the
Father's house had
been perverted into
a house of
merchandise.
There have been some
who have attempted
to use this event in
the Bible as a
“proof text” that it
is sinful to sell
anything in the
Christian church
building (even
Gospel tapes, Bible
dictionaries/encyclopedias,
etc). However, it
really is difficult
to do so.
Acts 4:32-37 and I
Corinthians 16:1,2
teaches that the
local church should
be supported with
tithes and
offerings. The local
church is a good
place to share one's
tithes. The church
member is supplied
with a house of
worship, various
programs/ministries,
and a Pulpit
Minister. This takes
money. Thus, support
of the local church
is needed. However,
one must decide if
he/she is going to
share all of his/her
tithe in one
treasury or with
several Christian
ministries. Some
would have the
church to be
financed by various
types of sales, but,
the tithe is the
Lord's and should be
given to Him and His
ministries. Other
worthwhile programs
should be supported
above and beyond the
tithe. The tithing
principle must be
constantly taught in
Bible classes and
from the pulpit.
Then, the church
will have plenty of
money to proceed
with the Lord’s
work.
KYOWVA EVANGELISTIC
ASSOCIATION *
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IRONTON OH 45638
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