SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:45-48
Ouch, Jesus burns the religious leaders for turning God’s house of prayer into a den or robbers.
Sometimes I wonder whether He would say the same about what we have done with the church.
Yesterday someone commented to me about the vast church wealth in its buildings alone, and compared that to the poverty experienced by many around the world.
Granted, it should also be mentioned that churches and christians invest heavily on charity and compassion.
Nevertheless, there are many churches and christians that spend more for themselves than for the world.
We need to hear this rebuke, and not assume that this couldn’t be true of us.
Looking at our budget numbers, I saw that most of our income is spent on overhead costs, not ministry costs.
And of that amount, my salary is by far the largest percentage… ouch!
Someone pointed out that our ministry investments go well beyond what the budget indicates – when the people we invest in do ministry in their lives.
Instead of trying to ‘kill’ Jesus challenge here, I need to ‘hang His words to see how they apply to me.
I need to pray more, not just look for loopholes or excuses to justify the status quo.
I need to spend more time discerning what it means for us to be a ‘house of prayer’.
Not just prayer for us (our own safe haven or escape), but for all people (Mark 11:17).
A place where we connect people with God.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I’ve been too focused on building our church and keeping it financially viable, instead of building our ministry, connecting people to You. Help me to trust that if we make this our goal, You will take care of the viability!
Observation/Application
The people hung on His words. They had just shouted their hosannahs and now this. Wow! Once again the tables were turned upside down. A place for the Gentiles to gather had become a business. And the religious leaders wanted to rid themselves of the competition – Jesus – because He was interfering with their lucrative profits.
Whom to follow?
False practises?
The Word?
No choice really as long we can see with our eyes. I too need to hang on His words and not let customs or habits of the church get in my way. The mission of the church must be the proclamation of the Word since that filters through all of life. Nothing may take its place.
Let’s always keep the main thing the main thing.
The Word of Christ leading me today.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way
Still You’re there right beside me
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
[Chorus]
I will not forget your love for me
And yet my heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide, hold me to Your side
And I will love You to the end
[Chorus]
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
[Chorus]
And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path