… Or is this your way of raising money that you need so you can buy more stuff for your event.

Omg crazy how I didn’t know I would write this. And Crazy how I am now reminded of what Jesus said to Martha who was mad about Mary not helping.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke10:38-42&version=NKJV

But let me not lose focus and get to what was originally written…

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I’ve been sitting with Luke chapter 19 all week (Monday to today) I now realize.

Today, I present verses 45 and 46.

Jesus went into the temple [enclosure] and began driving out those who were selling, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a robbers’ den.” – Luke 19:45-46AMP

What do you picture when you think of those selling in the temple?

Do you picture those who are promoting themselves? Promoting their products? Pushing their agendas?

Jesus said that if we lift him up, he would draw all men to himself. John 12:32-50. but so many are lifting up themselves. So many are using the church to catapult their own careers.

Jesus is clear that the church (temple) is not supposed to be a place to promote oneself. It is supposed to be a house of prayer.

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Funny though that this very scripture is what is fought over as the business of church is debated.

There is a “business” of church that has nothing to do with selling and marketing the church and everything to do with keeping a good account of all monies that are tithe and offered to Gods storehouse thru the ministry and the distribution of those monies to help those in need and to pay bills (water, electricity, garbage, telephone, etc.), as well as to pay for any upkeep and maintenance: roofing repairs, lawn maintenance, snow removal, painting, plumbing, sound, lights, cleaning supplies, toilet tissue and handsoap etc.

But normally when people who don’t understand the veiled areas of church argue about the business of church it is not these aforementioned things that they are speaking of. They are speaking of just what Jesus referred to which was selling and promotions that take place in some of the churches. Bake sales, Fish frys to raise money. Book sales and CD sales in the church.

(Yes I said book sales in the church) Trust me. I’m paying attention too. Jesus ain’t playing. He was clear.

So I read this interesting article on why Jesus did what he did. Though I won’t reference it here simply because I wasn’t looking for why he did it but “where” he did it.

He did it in the courtyard which many are not familiar with. So let me share…

The people couldn’t go into the temple. Only the priests went into the temple back then.
The people did go into the courtyard because this is where they brought their offerings to be slaughtered.

I actually had a chapter dedicated to understanding these offerings in the book Iron Sharpens Iron. I think it was chapter 7 though I could be wrong because I don’t have it in front of me to reference it. So animals being in the courtyard was normal. But the selling of those animals Jesus frowned upon.

It was the sellers that he scolded and strongly told them to not do it.

I find myself thinking of these ones and what their motives might have been.

As I do this I also consider the church conferences where vendors are allowed to set up their stations in the courtyard (hallways). Ive participated in a lot of those.

You have to pay to play.
Ive paid anywhere from $50 to $300 to have a table where I could “sell” my products.

Now I’m not talking about the non church related events I participated in. There was actual church related events that had vendors. I’ve even seen big conferences where pastors are assigned to serve in churches and in the courts there are vendors.

I’ve met some of the most gifted vendors, but the whole purpose of vending is to make money.

And the truth of the matter is having a vendor pay to rent a spot is one way that money is brought in to the events because the truth is the speakers and singers expect to get a love offering

(and though some say they dont, I’ve heard some talk about how much they spent out in gas to participate in events)

so these funds are relied upon.

Even down to the swag bags. Some people pay to put their samples and business cards in a bag to be given away.

This is all a part of advertising.

I know these things to be a fact.

Now Jesus wasn’t saying to not market or advertise your products and businesses.

He was saying that the temple was not the place for that.

I can actually understand that because I’ve sat in the hallway with my vending products dealing with a customer while a conference was going on on the other side of the door.

Jesus would have whooped me out of the courtyard too because I’ve been that seller. That’s why i get it. I understand exactly the very attitudes and motives that are being rejected.

We have boundaries for our home so it only makes sense that Jesus would set down boundaries for his own house.

We have a choice.

You know there are some people’s house you won’t go to because you know they allow or don’t allow certain things.

Jesus is clear about what is not going to be accepted in his house.

So for me…
I’m done vending in the courtyard.

Like Zacchaeus who said “here and now…”
(Luke 19:1-11) I too am choosing “here and now…” to no longer disrespect the house of my Father by vending in the courtyard.

I can vend. I can market all day long. But the only thing I’m lifting up to promote, at the church, is King Jesus.