Daily Play Call #55

14 There He found in the temple [enclosure] those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting there [also at their stands].

15 And having made a lash (a whip) of cords, He drove them all out of the temple [enclosure]—both the sheep and the oxen—spilling and scattering the brokers’ money and upsetting and tossing around their trays (their stands).

16 Then to those who sold the doves He said, Take these things away (out of here)! Make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise (a marketplace, a sales shop)!

John 2:14-16 AMPC

Do not buy & sell in the church

Jesus is walking to the temple and He sees them selling and buying oxen, sheep and doves. This was probably for a sin or guilt offering. Jesus was upset because these things were not supposed to be sold in the temple. The temple was supposed to be a place of prayer.

7 All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Isaiah 56:7 AMPC

When we come together at church (ekklesia - a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly) we are coming together to worship, pray, fellowship and edify one another. People who come to church are hurt and broken and need deliverance. We should be focused on helping people be set free. Any type of buying and selling should be outside the church. The Apostle Paul also gives us instructions on how we are to behave ourselves in the house of God.

15 If I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth.

1 Timothy 3:15 AMPC

• There is nothing wrong with buying and selling. We should just keep it outside of the church.