| First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: | Revelation 10:8-11 Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131 Luke 19:45-48 |
Luke 19:46 saying to them, "It is written, `My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers."
Today we have to constantly battle the temptation for worship to become a form of entertainment. Not just the worship service itself, but all the merchandising that goes on today. When did it become OK to charge for the Gospel? Sure we can say that we are only covering our costs, but the life styles of some of the people might indicate otherwise. What if we truly gave the Gospel to people. I think that it is great to have good music in worship and to have well written books and papers to enlighten and encourage us, but when we have to pay for it we are on the edge. It is one thing for a choir to be voluntary and give their best, but if they charge for their performance then I have to wonder. Now certainly there are those that give the money to charity, but then take a collection rather than charge admission. As for the books and other stuff, I realize there are expense in these things, but maybe we can give the money for it to happen. Maybe the books don't have to be top sellers in the nation. Maybe they can encourage a smaller group and others can encourage other smaller groups. This temptation to be big and influential is what concerns me.
Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek to be an encourager to others but not to take pay for my services, whatever they may be. Help us as your church to seek to be honest and sincere in what we do and not to do it for profit.
Amen
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