Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 2:13 ¶ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 2:13 ¶ Now the Passover of the Jews was approaching, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. |
Subject: is selling in a church building fine? |
Bible Note: Retxar See we agree on this issue too. I just draw a line at a different spot than you. Let's take the 3 reasons you gave. 1 What is going on was interfering with worship. How is that different today. If someone is tarrying at the altar in prayer while others are engaged in merchandising? 2 What was going on was crooked and dishonest. Was it or was it capitalism, charging what the market will bear? Aren't some of these tapes and CD's a little on the high side? Most I have seen are 1.5 times to 2 times higher than currently standard prices from leading commercial artists. Many times the extra is explained that anything above the cost of the tape goes to the ministry. To me that is like the electric company charging me for the electricity I use plus the energy tax charging for the cost of making the electricity???? I didn’t buy it when the electric company did it and I don’t buy it here. 3. What is going on violated the rules. I know the great emphasis today is to reflect on the personage of the church rather than the building, and that is how it should be. But as the song goes "this is Holy ground." If we really believe we are in God's presence (where two or three meet in my name) should we then reduce that hallowed ground down to market place. I think not. It is not about the building it is about attitude. Did I come to worship or did I come sample this persons offerings and if I like their wares I’ll buy. God is a holy God and I don’t believe buying and selling connected to His worship even though it is done right before or right after pleases Him. I could be wrong but I don’t think so. Let me make a point clear. I never said if you have a talent and then sell the result of that talent you diminish that talent. What I said is if God gives you a talent you can choose to use it to make a living or use it to do ministry. Either way God will allow you that freedom. The problem I have is when you choose to use that talent for ministry but then try to sell it. Am I saying you should not be able to give yourself to fulltime ministry? No, I’m saying the people you bless with you ministry talent should insure that your needs are met, and that your ministry is sustained. This isn’t done by selling your wares but rather by freewill offering. The Word says if as we give we will be blessed. It doesn’t say as we buy we will be blessed. By these men and women selling their wares they are actually costing those who buy instead of freely giving the blessings that come with giving. I would rather a singer/speaker whatever come and bless the people by giving his wares away and then have the church empty it’s wallets in a freewill offering than see one tape or CD sold. I believe that is also the desire of God. To have that happen we have to change the attitude in the church and teach the people they need to support ministry especially ministry they receive from. EdB |