Luke 19:45
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.(KJV)

MONEY CHANGERS AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE OF GOD :

Several churches today are charging money at the entrance of their doors.
Jesus died for our sins and His blood was shed for us at the cross so that we may have eternal life, God’s free gift to us, by His mercy and grace. Should we then suddenly turn around and take a charge of money?

Here is a word from my son Peter Eppinga:
There was an advertisement in the paper about a play of Jesus birth in a church. In the advertisement they said floor seats $15 and if you want a good view from the balcony $30. There was also another advertisement on the radio for worshiping God in a church at $15 a ticket and afterwards they said they would have a Salvation message for the lost. When I first heard this I laughed out loud, thinking this is so ridiculous.
When we were talking about this at Christmas time my brother had a joke, he said he would ask the churches who are doing this: “Do you have a better deal for me because I am a dirty sinner?”. This joke has a lot of meaning behind it. The bible says plain and clear, “My house is a house of prayer”. The church needs to get right with God before he comes back. He is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle.

Another question arises(Gerry Eppinga):
Why should there be money charged at the door of the House of God for some speakers or groups and not for others? And why is the charge different for different speakers? Do some speak better then others that they should be paid more or less and who is supposed to give the unction to the speaker?
Is it not Jesus by the anointing of the holy spirit who ministers to the people? Do we need to charge money for this? and what about those who can not afford the $10?, are they now remaining outside the church without salvation?
This charge for money comes from the flesh and not from the spirit and this will cause deceiving spirits to enter the church who is guilty of this so that you may not properly discern anymore.

Matt 10:8
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.(KJV)

God’s people must not rely on the flesh but must rather stand in faith knowing God will meet their needs as they look to Him and minister to the people, not depending on money concepts.

John 2:15
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; (KJV)
John 2:16
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

God’s currency is faith…..the world’s currency is money.
We cannot make the church a place of merchandise and money matters, we need to keep the House of God clean and a place of dedication to God through worship and prayer.
We walk by faith and not by sight we must trust the Lord as He builds His church and His people and we must not depend on fleshly thoughts and the power of money concepts!
THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE BUT A HOUSE OF PRAYER,LET US KEEP THE DAILY BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY OUTSIDE THE CHURCH WALLS.