Recently I have been contemplating the passage about Jesus driving out the money changers from the Temple. What was it that they were doing which was so wrong? And what does it look like today? Jesus drove the money changers and those selling doves out of the temple. These were people that were meeting practical needs of the worshippers. They needed to change out their money to give their offering. They needed doves in order to sacrifice. The problem appears two-fold. These men entered into the place of worship to make these sales, and they were trying to turn a dis-honest profit. In other words, these men had learned how to make money off marketing to those worshipping God. They had discovered that there was a lot of money to be made off God’s people.

Today we have created a whole “Christian” sub-culture, and we are now a group that Mel Gibson, Disney, and many “Christian” companies and individuals market to in mass. Why? They found out that there is a lot of money to be made from Christians. I am not attempting to condemn all of these businesses for some are run better than others and there is a need for some, but I do want to raise a few concerns. Christian Publishers: Imagine if Paul and the other Apostles said that they had something great that the whole world needed to hear and understand, but if you wanted to copy their Epistles you would need to buy a license that insured they would get the royalties? Christians Music: Can you imagine writing a song that is meant for the glory and praise of God, and then telling all churches and individuals that if they want to use your music they need to pay you royalties in order to praise God with their music? Or saying come worship God with me for only $20 a ticket?

We see this used in other areas as well. There are the Christian Blue Pages, that although they are helpful, it also appears some are using them to try and make more money by marketing Christ’s name. You have so many different people and groups using “Christian” in front of their name in order to draw in Christians so they can turn a profit on them.

What is the conclusion? I do not have every area figured out, but I do believe those like Keith Green were onto something, when they became convicted about not charging for their CD’s and Concerts. Is it wrong to make money as a Christian? No, I would suggest that it is wrong to market being a Christian or helping Christians in order to make money.

I have been reading a lot about Rob Bell from friends blogs. I have not read his books or listened to his sermons. I decided to do some searching on the web today and found out the following information.

Quote from ESPN

Bell does not have dynamic stuff, but in the last couple years he has learned to use what he has.

Bell feels he could be on the verge of a breakthrough if given consistent work

From their review of him he really is not that great of a pitcher, but could develop.

I guess it makes me wonder why we are so infatuate with that which is new and exciting, but unproven, rather than what has been shown to be faithful. Not that new is bad, but could it be we spend so much time trying to think out of the box, that we have forgotten that the box was there for a reason?

I don’t know, maybe when I have more time I will pick up a copy of the real Rob Bell’s book and see what all the fuss is about.

God’s hand is always far ahead of our worries.