Jesus felt defensive and protective about God’s Temple. He was offended by the men selling animals for sacrifice at high prices, ripping off the poor. He was offended by the CAMBIO (Spanish for exchange)—those were the folks exchanging dollars for pesos (or maybe Roman money for Israeli money?) because they took too much off the top, getting rich by defrauding the poor.
“He made a scourge of small cords” John 2:15.
Jesus MADE A WHIP! This was no sudden flash of temper. He PLANNED it, driving the thieves from His Father’s house. Why?
Because “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up” v.17.
Jesus was passionate about the temple and about NOT ripping off poor people who were simply trying to worship. We should share these passions.
Do you think Jesus still has those same passions?
Of course.
APPLICATION?
Don’t rip off people trying to worship Jesus. Don’t be so tied up in money-making that it distracts from the gospel. Don’t be a preacher who is a fraud, taking money from little old ladies eating Alpo (true story)* so you can live like a king.
Can you imagine the anger God feels about scammers, hucksters, and con-men in the church? Wow.
Give your money to a church that will spend it with integrity. Give—we must give. Give generously. But give to churches and ministries that take stewardship seriously.
God, make us frugal and wise with our money. Help us honor you with our giving and spending. And lead us to support ministries with integrity, that honor God in all that they do.
*There have been a variety of news stories from time to time reporting that the poor find canned pet food the most affordable options. This may be the article that first brought that to light: https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/16/archives/meanwhile-humans-eat-pet-food.html
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