STOP

He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." John 2:14-16

The disciples saw one of the ways how Jesus practiced His preaching. On this day, He showed His followers what it takes to be a Son of the Father. He lived what the scripture relates to be consumed with the zeal for the house of God. He lashed out what is not of the Father's house. He distinguished what do not belong to the place of worship. Jesus provided His apostles a main lesson - no personal business in the Father's business. And in this manner, He came strong to drive home the point. He had a whip on His hand and with no discrimination, Jesus pushed them all out of the temple.

God's place is not a marketplace.
The place of worship is not a financial district.
The temple is not Wall Street.
The church is not the stock market.
The Christian community is not a real estate industry.

We have financial responsibilities in life. We have to take care of our families. We have to have sources of income while loving and serving God. Pastors, priests and full-time missionaries must be taken cared financially to continue the work called for them. On the other hand, if we make our ministry as our business then we are no different with the folks who were bolted out of the temple. If we enriched ourselves using God's house as our office, wait for Jesus to escort us on the way to the exit. If the pulpit assigned to us generates more income for us than it generates more conversion, its time to question what kind of zeal is in us. If the gifts given to us provide more assets to us than it sustain commitment to Christ of our people, bring out the whip of Jesus.

Its not a surprise that some of the disciples lived and died as fishermen while they led the church. Its no wonder why Paul has to work as a tent maker as he was doing his mission.

STOP making the Father's house a marketplace. I did not say that. Jesus did.