Hucksters

"And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying  to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer' but you have made it a den of robbers"" Luke 19:46 ESV

As I read this scripture in my daily Bible reading a few days ago, it struck me that this passage has a contemporary application. I have been negatively impressed in recent days at how many there are who trying to make money from their religion. I think also, that this goes beyond the televangelists who are always asking for our money (and it seems that these are on the increase these days) but I would say that it also includes those lay people who are trying to" give in order to get".

Now, let me say at the outset, before I go any farther, that I do not regard all televangelists as money-grabbers. Many are sincere in their efforts to preach God's word, and to minister to His people. I am increasingly disturbed, however, at how often I turn one of them on (TV) and I find myself quickly turned off (pun intended) when their message turns into a pitch for a donation. I am particularly appalled when they imply, or just outright proclaim that this donation will result in a proportionate "blessing" for the giver and will be "multiplied" in the effect it will have on the world through their ministry. Sometimes, in fact often, this is the only message that they offer, and there is a total absence of any other Bible teaching. That I find particularly disturbing.

I looked at the cross-references attached to this passage in my Bible. When Jesus said "it is written ..." there were two passages that were listed as being the ones He was citing:

"these [gentiles] I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer, their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)

"Has this house which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 7:11 (ESV)

We have been going to church services at a nearby park since we got here to Arizona, as our park does not have it's own church service. I am continually impressed that Bro. Ed Berger, a CRM affiliated Chaplain emphasizes before each offering that we should be giving willingly each time we give.

Also, do not misunderstand that I am not trying to diminish the act of giving as a necessity of our worship. Please read the chapter in my book, Going Forth in the Name (chapter 11, Stewardship, Part B, Giving Tithes and Offerings).  What I am saying is that I am beginning to hear some things, both from the pulpit and the pew, that go way beyond biblical giving and proper attitudes toward giving, and I am becoming quite disturbed by this.

I think that the "give in order to get" group of lay people are every bit as bad as the "gimme and God will bless you" hucksters. In all of this I think what is wrong is that the focus is in the wrong place. What is being focused upon is either the giver, and what they will get as a result, or upon the receiver of the gift, and what it will do for their particular ministry. The focus needs, rather than this, to be on our Lord, and we need to seek His direction as to how we allocate our monetary gifts.

There are many facets to the teaching about giving in the eighth and ninth chapters of 2 Corinthians. I outline these and other New Testament teachings  about giving in the above-mentioned chapter of my book. I encourage you to read both.

Indeed, our Father's house, whether it is a meeting that we attend (in any context), or one that we watch on TV, needs to be an occasion for prayer, and for Biblical teaching. Giving of monetary gifts is not out of place, but should never overwhelm these other purposes.

Thanks for sharing this moment with me today.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.