Who Are the Real Moneychangers?
Posted: Thursday, August 07, 2008
by straight talk
Well first for those unfamiliar with the Bible, let's set this up like this, New American Bible, John Chapter 3 verse 14- 16, He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep and doves, as well as money changers seated there. 15- He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and over turned their tables. 16- and those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here and stop making my Father's house a marketplace".
Now one might ask, have our churches today become a marketplace? Buy this, get that, use this? Do we not hear it on TV, from the pulpit, in the mail and on and on and on? Have our churches become like the moneychangers in the temple? Certainly they will not admit to that yet have they? A blessed this, a sacred that, give, give, give. Was this not what stirred the reformation?
Can we not also consider those who profess Christ but are moneychangers in life? Do they not profess to be believers yet they practice the opposite of the teachings of God. Are they not as well, those who profess, the church, their bodies, the temple of God? Is that not "our Fathers house" where he dwells as well? So do we who profess Him, are we only interested in selling, the market, making money? Do we really forgive our debtors? Do we place heavy burdens upon others? Do we love our neighbors as commanded to do or do we use, take, exploit, condemn, persecute and make their path hard and troublesome?. Do we use our wealth wisely or do we hoard it and build on it? Are those deeds done in prayer and humbleness?
So who are the Money Changers of today? Well in my opinion they are all of us who use Gods' house for anything other then worship, prayer, honor, love. They are in my opinion all who sell merchandise, artifacts, religious relics, favors or whatever in the name of God and from God's house for the sake of money. They are all those who profess God but do not the works of God.
Now I speak to Catholics more then all others because I am a Catholic. You who profess to be Catholic should remember, that when you enter a Catholic church, and yes any church, but yet Catholics more then any other denomination in this example, adhere to Gods physical presence in the Eucharist within every church, in the Tabernacle, you must know you are in the real presence of almighty God as you yourself profess. He is there and if you were to stop a moment could you actually stand there before Him, laughing, joking, talking or is it that you do not see Him so He is not there and you are more apt to forget where you are? Do you enter that sanctuary with that in mind? Do you kneel before Him upon entering His house or casually walk in, talking? Did you forget God is Spirit and you cannot see Him but that His presence is very real there, in person?
So when we profess, all, regardless of faith do we understand where we are? That is what I believe Jesus was saying to the Priests and moneychangers and to all of us today. When we enter the house of God know where you are and repent and be silent before He who is God. Let the tithe and the offering take care of the church needs, we need not be a market for goods and services we need to be what church was intended to be. A house of prayer.
For Bruce-
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio Sr.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Robert,Nicely done. You have passionately called us to reassess our motives and intentions regarding our worship of God. Thank you.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you James, I recognize you as a man of similar thinking. best wishes, Robert.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Robert, very well done. I cringe when I see churches offering, "prayer cloths, selling prayers for the ill, or statues and candles,etc... People are told they are holy because they have been blessed. And well meaning sincere people send their money in exchange for these sacred items. It is heartbreaking. It does break the heart of God.I do have one question; you pointed out that God dwells in the Catholic church and not other churches? Is that to say that you believe his presense is in the building at all times, or just in the buliding because believers are present? God made is very clear taht he does not dwell in buildings made with hands, but in the hearts of his children. Jesus said he is in the midst of those who are called by his name. I know many Catholics believe that it is the only true church and that God only dwells in the Catholic church. Why is that? and is this what you believe?I would appreciate your help on this issue. Thanks so much! Your friend and sister in Christ, TeresaPlease log in to respond to this comment.Teresa hopefully this will clearify this. "but yet Catholics more then any other denomination in this example, adhere to Gods physical presence in the Eucharist within every church. I am not saying God does not dwell within the Temple of our body or our hearts. I am stating a specific belief of Catholics and pointing it toward them because I am a Catholic. I am saying to them, there He is according to what you profess. I ask no one else to believe that, just those who say they are Catholics. I do believe you read that paragraph wrong but if not pleaseassist where I may have stated this. That was not my intent. Regards, Robert.Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi Robert, thanks for clarifying. I did not catch that the first time, but reading it in a small portion helped me see what you said. I knew I could count on you to clarify without offense. I did understanding about the Catholic's belief in general, I was more concerned with your personal belief.Thanks again, dear friend.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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