MONEY CHANGERS IN THE TEMPLE
Many have either heard or read the story that is told in Matthew, of the time Jesus Christ threw money changers out of the Jewish temple. The story is depicted, to some extent, in various Bible movies. But what actually took place that day was not as one might think, a sudden, spontaneous outburst on the Lords part that was an emotional response to a scene he happened upon, unexpectedly and which stirred him emotionally.
In truth, Jesus' actions that day were premeditated and planned.
Nor did Jesus Christ, the Son of God, present himself as a meek and gentle lamb on that day so long ago, when he threw the money changers and merchandisers out of the temple of God. Jesus did not, simply and gently, suggest that they consider moving their wares elsewhere. The same one who spoke of loving enemies, and taught against retaliation, (Matt. 5: 39+44), displayed aggressive behavior in his dealings with these men.
What he did do, took some time and thought. Before entering into the temple, he took small rushes and used them to make a whip. He then used the whip to drive out all those who were selling oxen and sheep, along with their animals, and the money changers. But he did not stop there. He proceeded to pour out the money changer's money and turn over their tables. Next, he ordered those who sold doves to take those things out and not to make his Father's house a house of merchandise, or in other words, a market house.
John 2:13-17 – And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
What was so important that Jesus would go to such lengths, not only to teach that such activities were wrong, but that he would choose to make such an exhibition and display of indignation? Jesus made a spectacle of them all!!
God's house was to be a place of prayer, a place where people humbled themselves, recognizing their human, sinful condition, and sought forgiveness from their God. Of all places on earth, the temple was never to be a place where men flaunted superiority and sought self-gain. The focus in God's house was to be God. However, those selling animals for sacrifices in the temple were focused on using God's little ones for selfish gain, not on pleasing God by serving them. The entire scene in the temple that day portrayed the opposite of God's heart, character, and purpose.
Those men, so long ago, were selling animals to be used as sacrifices, as was required in the Law of Moses. Jesus came to earth and became the only sacrifice for sins that would ever be needed when he died on the cross and rose again. Now he requires spiritual sacrifices, given in a different temple, not made by human hands. Now our bodies are to be the temple for the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in, while those who give Christ their all are called his house.
Could it be that even today men continue to misrepresent God in his own name?
Could it be that there are Money Changers even in God's new temple?
There are those who teach that there is more than believing and receiving the redemptive work of Christ, necessary for living free from the devourer, and in order to receive the full benefit of the work of Christ. In reality, they teach an exchange of money for a blessing.
In Matt. Chapter 22, Jesus was asked if it was lawful to pay tribute, which was tax money, to Caesar. Jesus asked whose image and superscription was on a penny that was brought to him. This was, of course, Caesars'. He then told them to render unto Caesar what was Caesars', and unto God what was Gods'; thus indicating a difference in what was Gods' and the money with Caesars' image on it.
There are different images on our money today; none of which are Gods'. There is an inscription which states “In God We Trust” but nothing suggesting that the money belongs to him.
Nonetheless, it is taught in the church world, that we are to give a percentage of our money to God in order to receive more of the same, or some other blessing of provision, in return, or should we say, “in exchange”?
Of course, it is not called an exchange, but rather obedience, for those who teach this do base their beliefs on their understanding of certain scriptures.
Some say that this percentage is God's and not our own, so to keep it would be to rob God. Of course one cannot expect to be blessed by God while robbing him.
And it is true, whether we like it or not, that money is a part of our lives in this day and age. Since we are taught in scripture to give our 'all' to Christ, it is obvious that even our money should be subject to our Lord. But does the Bible actually teach that a specific portion of our money must be given to God, first, foremost, and in exchange for financial blessings, for the provision of safety from an ominous curse from God himself, as well as from destruction from and by Satan?
What about the modern doctrine of tithing? Is this a pure and wholesome doctrine, which serves the purpose of God, as well as encouraging our faith in God? Or does this doctrine counteract the true heart and purpose of the New Covenant, which was brought to us through the blood of our Savior?
What is the condition of the Lords' temple today? Is God's heart and purpose being done in it? Is tithing the means in which it is to be supported? Are their still money changers in the temple? If there are, what will it take to drive them out?
Tithing is the one universal doctrine connecting money to the body of Christ and is considered essential in sustaining it as an effective body. Consider the importance placed upon it.
Tithing has become the established means of financial support in today's church world. Freewill offerings are also depended on. However, since most churches believe that the giving of tithes is an obligation for all believers, conformity to this teaching has become an accepted 'mark' of the truly committed Christian.
In some cases, tithing has been the means by which pastors received a salary. Ministers understand that as long as there are God-fearing men and women who believe that God, himself, has declared that 10% of every man's income belongs to Him, there will always be some financial means to support the church. Tithing, then, is an integral part of how the church today functions. There is a certain security that comes with the law of tithing. There is security for pastors, and the reason can easily be seen, but since it is taught that paying tithes insures financial blessing from God for the giver, there is a sense of security for the giver as well. People are taught that failure to pay tithes will result in financial problems and even a curse from God. Is then, this security real or false?
Why has this one doctrine crossed denominational barriers?
Is this belief based on the Word of God?
And you, Dear Reader, are you quite certain of what and how your belief is presently affecting your life?
There is uncertainty in the hearts and minds of some. Controversy and doubt remain, either about the truth of the doctrine, or at least about how it is to be carried out, and whether or not it is mandatory. Probably far more people today who believe this doctrine, believe it because it was taught to them, than because they have ever really studied the subject themselves. After all, it is something passed down from generation to generation as a basic truth. However, whatever we believe and live by should be clearly based on the Word of God.
So then, the question of whether or not all believers are obligated to pay tithes in order to please God and be in obedience to Him can only be answered truthfully by Gods' Word. It does not matter if you are a pastor who wants to believe that the doctrine of tithing is for today so you can be supported by it, or if you are a layman who would rather not believe in it so you won't be obligated to pay it. Our opinions will never change the truth, and the truth is what matters. So let's look into the Word Of God honestly and see what we find there.
There are three main questions to be considered that must be answered in order to find the truth on this subject and many others concerning scripture.
1.Was this Law contained in the Law of Moses?
2.Has the Law of Moses been fulfilled and ended?
3.Is this a teaching given to us in the New Covenant?
The question of The Law of Moses and what part it does or does not play in our lives today is of utmost importance in knowing how we are to live our lives in Christ as believers in Him and the work he has done for us. So it is impossible to truly cover this issue scripturally without looking at both the Law of Moses, where it originated, and the New Testament as well.
An honest inquirer, wanting to truly hear what God has to say, may need to be patient enough to study, one step at a time. It is an interesting journey, well worth the time it may take. So if you sincerely want to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, make yourself comfortable, take a deep breath, and step in.
In the book of Malachi, in the Old Testament, there are three verses of scripture which have become foundational scriptures for the teaching on tithing. These verses seem very clear and very powerful. If read by themselves, one might not see any need to look further; believing the matter to be clearly stated and the matter completely settled. There are other important truths, however, that connect, absolutely, to this subject. To overlook these, would be detrimental indeed.
To begin with, the words of these verses were written to a specific nation, as we can see from the first verse of the book of Malachi. There were times when God spoke a specific thing to a specific individual or group of individuals, for a specific purpose that pertained only to them. It may affect the lives of many others, yet was directed only to them. Now let's look at what the Bible says.
Mal. 1:1-” The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.”
Here we see God speaking specifically to the nation of Israel through a man named Malachi. In chapter two, verse one, we find him speaking specifically to the priest of Israel...
Mal. 2:1– “And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.”
A little further in verse eight, we see what the priests were doing.
“But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble AT THE LAW; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.” (emphasis mine)
There was a covenant, given by God to Israel. He had given them the Law of Moses to live by, but they not only departed from it individually but caused others to stumble at the Law also. God was so displeased with that people that he told them, in the third chapter, verse six: -
“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
God would have consumed them had it not been for a promise of his own. In Numbers 25:10 –
14 God had made a promise to a priest named Phinehas, promising peace and a blessing to Levi's house, and an everlasting priesthood.
God would not break his promise to Phinehas, even though we see priests here in Malachi, who did not follow Phinehas' ways of being zealous for God and executing judgment upon rebels. Instead, they were departing from God's laws themselves, causing others to stumble at the Law and actually corrupting the covenant by their actions. Their hearts were not after God.
This was a time when all of Israel was under the Mosaic Law and were obligated to keep it one hundred percent. If you read through the first three chapters of Malachi, you will find many sins of the people including mistreating wives, offering unclean sacrifices, etc. Had it not been for God's promise and His plan of redemption, he may have consumed them completely.
Now in Malachi 3:8-10, we find the words that are still read from pulpits today and declared to be a law of God still in effect today, even to Gentiles, who were not the people these words were spoken to. Clearly, however, these words were to a nation called Israel and to Levitical priests, at a time of disobedience to God. These verses only apply to us today, if God spoke them to us as well, or if we too are under the Law of Moses today.
Mal. 3:8- 10 - “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (emphasis mine)
Verse nine shows clearly that God was speaking to a specific nation - “this whole nation”
These verses name more of the sins going on in Israel, and how God would bless them if they would stop their sinning and obey His Laws. This was definitely concerning God and the Law of Moses, for in the fourth and last chapter of Malachi, verse four, we find this; -
“Remember ye the LAW OF MOSES my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the STATUTES and JUDGMENTS.” (emphasis mine)
This verse tells to whom the commandments were given; - “all Israel”
This was the last time in the Old Testament that the people were commanded to keep the Law of Moses, which was to remain in effect until it would be fulfilled and finished.
If today, Jews and Gentiles alike are obliged to live by the Law of Moses, then we must obey it in every detail. On the other hand, if we are neither under Mosaic Law nor taught tithing in the New Covenant which was given to us by the blood of Jesus, then we cannot justify applying these three verses to our lives today as laws we must live by, for one thing is certain, Paul the apostle to the Gentile people, instructed Timothy in the New Testament this way -
2 Timothy 2:15 - “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the WORD OF TRUTH.
And Jesus said in Matt. 15:9 - “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the COMMANDMENTS of MEN.” (emphasis mine)
If we are to know for certain that we are following the doctrines of God, and not of men, we must rightly divide the Word of Truth. We must read it and apply it in its proper context. We need to get a view of the writer's full message, if possible, and make a point not to pick it apart to give it whatever meaning we want it to have.
John 8:31 – 32 - “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in him. If ye CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (emphasis mine)
It is Jesus' words, once they are known and applied, that will set a man free. It is the Holy Spirit that enables men to understand God's Word. It is not the wisdom of our own minds.
1 Corinthians 1:25 - “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
John 16: 13-14 - “Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, (from God) that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.(parenthesis mine)
Clearly then, our conclusions should be arrived at based on scripture. Here are some questions that I feel should be answered in order to be certain about whether or not God requires us to tithe.
1. Was tithing a part of the Law of Moses or was it of another covenant?
2. Must Christians today live by parts of the Mosaic Law?
3. Did Jesus fulfill and end the Law of Moses?
4. Is tithing a part of the New Covenant (Testament)
5. Did Jesus teach tithing?
6. Did the Apostles teach tithing?
7. Was tithing commanded even before the Law of Moses was given, therefore causing it to still be in effect?
Hopefully, you will find these questions and more, clearly answered and will be quite satisfied, Dear Reader, that you understand God's Word on this subject, when you have reached the end of this book
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