Making Merchandise of Religion

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Song: More Holiness Give Me

The Passover was a busy time in Jerusalem. Pilgrims flocked to the city. The merchants and moneychangers supplied a legitimate need. Non-residents would require sacrificial lambs and domestic currency for the temple tax. But to set up shop in the temple like ticket scalpers to a modern sporting event was the height of irreverence.

It’s appalling the number of businesses that thrive on religion today. Theme parks, the music industry, publishing houses, t-shirt and novelty manufacturers all advertise their wares in the temple. No place receives more junk mail and phone solicitations than the church building. Nearly every business has some product or service to increase attendance or interest among church membership. And religion now, as in Jesus’ day, buys into it. The consequence is that Christianity is rendered a cheap fad with a rah-rah enthusiasm and as many trinkets as there are marketing geniuses setting up new tables in the temple vestibule.

Christians ought to beware not just the abuses of the religious community in general but lesser manifestations of the same spirit. It’s fine to be in business, but the church is in business of building up souls not your business. And watch hypocrisy. It’s a form of merchandising. It advertises religion for the sake of personal recognition and profit, but at the Lord’s expense. Those that make merchandise of the Lord’s temple in any form will be the recipients of His just wrath as Jesus’ cleansing of the temple indicates.

Jason Moore