MONEY CHANGERS

A money changer is someone that changes foreign money of various kinds into a different currency. It could then be used as a temple poll tax or free-willing offering.

In the time of Jesus and the apostles, large numbers of foreign Jews annually visited Jerusalem, especially during the great feasts, bringing with them their foreign currency which was not accepted at the temple. Only money with Hebrew inscriptions could be presented for an offering. So they had the money changers right there conveniently located at the temple.

Usually their money changing stalls were in the city, but they were admitted to the temple court of the Gentiles during the festivals, where they sat at their tables. There were also cattle dealers. They asked for very high prices for their animals. When they sold an animal, they would share their profits with the priests and rulers.

After coming from a far distance, the people could not bring their own sacrificial animals with them so they were forced to pay the high prices that were asked to buy animals for a sacrifice.

As Jesus came into the temple, He saw the unfair transactions. He saw the distress of the poor. The sacred enclosure had become one vast exchange. The noise was great. It was like a cattle market rather than the sacred temple of God.  There could be heard men bargaining, the lowing of cattle, bleating of sheep, the cooing of doves, mixed with the clinking of coins and the voices of the angry bargainers. What a great confusion! Jesus stood and watched it all.

Then the confusion stopped, and all was silent. Jesus said, “Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise.” He told the bargaining companies to leave the temple. Then all was quiet and peaceful. Twice Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple. First in the beginning of His active work and then again near the end.

Quietness and reverence should be in the house of God. Even today Sister White writes, “We should not have yard sales, bake sales, etc. for church.” She says that through these, the holy standard of the Word of God is lowered into dust. We can have bake sales and yard sales and then donate the money to the church, but not on the church property. That is considered confusion. God is holy and the church is a place of His worship which is also holy.

In Jesus’ time there was confusion with the people wanting to do business at the temple, but we know that Jesus was angry against that and had them stop. We also in our lives need to keep reverence and quietness in His holy place. That is what we should always remember.AMEN.

Tiffany Bessec

THE WIDOW’S MITE

Let us read about the time when Jesus was in the temple, and witnessed the widow giving her two last mites. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto Him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:41–44

“Jesus was in the court where were the treasure chests, and He watched those who came to deposit their gifts. Many of the rich brought large sums, which they presented with great ostentation. Jesus looked upon them sadly, but made no comment on their liberal offerings. Presently His countenance lighted as He saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly, as though fearful of being observed. As the rich and haughty swept by, to deposit their offerings, she shrank back as if hardly daring to venture farther. And yet she longed to do something, little though it might be, for the cause she loved. She looked at the gift in her hand. It was very small in comparison with the gifts of those around her, yet it was her all. Watching her opportunity, she hurriedly threw in her two mites, and turned to hasten away. But in doing this she caught the eye of Jesus, which was fastened earnestly upon her.

“The Saviour called His disciples to Him, and bade them mark the widow’s poverty. Then His words of commendation fell upon her ear: ‘Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.’ Tears of joy filled her eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated. Many would have advised her to keep her pittance for her own use; given into the hands of the well-fed priests, it would be lost sight of among the many costly gifts brought to the treasury. But Jesus understood her motive.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 614–615

Jesus saw that the other people gave a little bit of what they had. They kept some for themselves. But the widow gave all she had and left none for herself. This teaches us that we must give all we have to God like the widow did, because God gave us all the life of His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross. If we give all the money we have, we will receive blessings from heaven.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31–33

My wish and prayer is that we are not like the Pharisees who do not love God because they are afraid and only gave some of what they had. But to be like the widow who loved and trusted God and gave everything because she believed what He promised in Matthew chapter 6.

Stephen Newby

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Acts 5:1–4

So we see that Ananias and Sapphira sold their land and promised that they would give all of the money to the early church, for missionary work. But they gave some of the money and left most for themselves. The left most of it for themselves because it would be good for living, and at the same time they would look good in front of everybody.

And at that time, Peter came, and with the Holy Ghost he said, “you didn’t have to give all the money, you could have given whatever you wanted and told us you didn’t give all of it, but instead you lied, saying, here is all of the money from the sale of the land.” Then Ananias fell to the ground and died, and the young men came and buried him.

“And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.” Acts 5:5–6

Three hours later, Sapphira, not knowing that her husband had died, came in. And then Peter said to her, “Did you sell this land for so much money?” Then she answered, “Yes, we did.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.”  Acts 5:9. Then all of a sudden Sapphira fell to the ground and died. They buried her beside her husband.

This is my wish and prayer that we may not be covetous like Ananias and Sapphira.

Sarah Newby