Thieves, Crooks And Modern Day Money Changers
Posted: Tuesday, August 05, 2008
by Michelle Mackin
Blogz.org Higher Level Blogging
Are we really making history or is history repeating itself?
Over 2000 years ago the Son of God walked on Earth. He was named Jesus and known also as Emmanuel, Hosanna, Lord and many other names. His goal was accomplished when he was thirty-three years old.
I would dare to imagine that you already know this story, so I am going to skip right to the point.
During the time Jesus was on earth he walked all over spending time healing and praying with those we might consider to be "less than." Examples would be tax collectors, murderers, prostitutes and liars. He reached many of these people and paid the price of their salvation. In return the "less than" would turn their lives around and become productive citizens again.
It wasn't exactly easy for Jesus even though this was His calling. It wasn't just fellowship hour in the New Testament. He faced many trials and tribulations.
Let's focus on one scenario that Jesus dealt with.
Matthew 21: 12-13
12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 " It is written ," he said to them, " My house will be called a house of prayer , but you are making it a den of robbers. "
Apparently, trouble with corruption in the world has been going on since the beginning of time. Lying, cheating, murdering, prostitution and robbing others is nothing new.
Let us discuss who the modern day money changers could be while focusing on Matthew 21: 12-13.
The government would seem as though they may fit the category. They tell us that we must pay taxes. They assure us that the taxes will provide us with help for programs such as health care, retirement and emergencies. Yet, in the United States these programs which we fund are being whittled away. We write letters to congress, we talk to our representatives and we vote for change! Our government has been providing that change for years. Have you seen some of our seniors who can't afford to live or even eat on Social Security? Basically we are told that with these kinds of programs available our lives will be better. Talk about money changers, the government seems to be able to change money into nothing. Poof, it's gone!
What about the pharmaceutical companies? They would like us to believe that everything they prescribe is some kind of miracle drug and will save your life. What they are not telling you about is the mark up on cost. Research the cost and you will find the absurd amount their charging compared to what it costs to make. Mark ups of 20,000, 50,000 and even up to 200,000 % are not uncommon. If you want more validation do a search on Google or take a look at Michael Moore's "Sicko". What about the fact that these miracle drugs can make you extremely ill and even kill you! That is without an overdose and/or addictive behavior involved.
This one is my favorite. Have you watched some of the evangelical preachers on television? I am sure that not all of them are out to make a buck or two or become a familiar Hollywood face. Yet, it would seem most of them are there for those very reasons. It all boils down to money they want to make, and at your expense.
Have you ever watched church on television and been spiritually fed? If you were, did your host pretty much beg and plead for you to commit to a monthly pledge or onetime donation? Did they also offer the wonderful book they just wrote that could save you? A couple of these show time figures that come to mind would be Jim and Tammy Faye Baker and radio evangelist Chuck Swindoll. Their mission was originally to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, somewhere along the way they lost focus and padded their pockets. They seemed to honestly believe that their words and books would be better than the Word of God. Sorry folks! I can't even stomach to buy regular items from the television; much less something from someone I would consider a clown.
We try our best to forgive them. I understand that these individuals are human like everyone else, and they make mistakes. What I don't understand is why they get a slap on the hand, go right back on air, and we go right back to buying into their eloquence of words and do it again with these modern day money changers.
Over 2000 years ago the Son of God walked on Earth. He was named Jesus and known also as Emmanuel, Hosanna, Lord and many other names. His goal was accomplished when he was thirty-three years old.
I would dare to imagine that you already know this story, so I am going to skip right to the point.
It wasn't exactly easy for Jesus even though this was His calling. It wasn't just fellowship hour in the New Testament. He faced many trials and tribulations.
Let's focus on one scenario that Jesus dealt with.
Matthew 21: 12-13
12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 " It is written ," he said to them, " My house will be called a house of prayer , but you are making it a den of robbers. "
Apparently, trouble with corruption in the world has been going on since the beginning of time. Lying, cheating, murdering, prostitution and robbing others is nothing new.
Let us discuss who the modern day money changers could be while focusing on Matthew 21: 12-13.
The government would seem as though they may fit the category. They tell us that we must pay taxes. They assure us that the taxes will provide us with help for programs such as health care, retirement and emergencies. Yet, in the United States these programs which we fund are being whittled away. We write letters to congress, we talk to our representatives and we vote for change! Our government has been providing that change for years. Have you seen some of our seniors who can't afford to live or even eat on Social Security? Basically we are told that with these kinds of programs available our lives will be better. Talk about money changers, the government seems to be able to change money into nothing. Poof, it's gone!
What about the pharmaceutical companies? They would like us to believe that everything they prescribe is some kind of miracle drug and will save your life. What they are not telling you about is the mark up on cost. Research the cost and you will find the absurd amount their charging compared to what it costs to make. Mark ups of 20,000, 50,000 and even up to 200,000 % are not uncommon. If you want more validation do a search on Google or take a look at Michael Moore's "Sicko". What about the fact that these miracle drugs can make you extremely ill and even kill you! That is without an overdose and/or addictive behavior involved.
This one is my favorite. Have you watched some of the evangelical preachers on television? I am sure that not all of them are out to make a buck or two or become a familiar Hollywood face. Yet, it would seem most of them are there for those very reasons. It all boils down to money they want to make, and at your expense.
Have you ever watched church on television and been spiritually fed? If you were, did your host pretty much beg and plead for you to commit to a monthly pledge or onetime donation? Did they also offer the wonderful book they just wrote that could save you? A couple of these show time figures that come to mind would be Jim and Tammy Faye Baker and radio evangelist Chuck Swindoll. Their mission was originally to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, somewhere along the way they lost focus and padded their pockets. They seemed to honestly believe that their words and books would be better than the Word of God. Sorry folks! I can't even stomach to buy regular items from the television; much less something from someone I would consider a clown.
We try our best to forgive them. I understand that these individuals are human like everyone else, and they make mistakes. What I don't understand is why they get a slap on the hand, go right back on air, and we go right back to buying into their eloquence of words and do it again with these modern day money changers.
Michelle Mackin is a pastor's wife. While working in business and bookkeeping she is a mother of three and grandmother of three. While her first desire is to serve the Lord, she also loves music, puzzles, lakes and the ocean. Michelle has no time to get bored. To read other articles go to Wordcasters, http://blogzorg.ning.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Hi Michelle! I really enjoyed this article. I have a feeling that you hit the nail on the head with some of these modern day money changers. You go girl!I can't really say if I did or did not. I did however, tell you just a tip of the iceburg opinion.
You touched a lot of things in your article, most of which I agree with. I can tell you that use of my tax dollars to "take care" of people hits a sore subject to me. Not that I am against compassion, but over the years I have seen that throwing money at social problems never ever "solves" the problem. I am old enough to have witnessed generations of families stuck in the "welfare" system. The problem was that they gave just enough money to survive, but never enough to escape the situation they were in. We would have been better off, if they (the government) had offered short term, but massive support to a family. As an example, if new clothes and a decent car would allow someone to break out of the welfare cycle, we should be able to assist them. As it is, the government will continue to send money year after year because they are unwilling to provide the level of assistance to break away from the Government dole. Politician's are "penny wise" and "pound fullish."Hi Jeff,I agree completely. We are not without compassion at all. There are many things I could have included in this article but I just wanted to get my feet wet. (for now) I too believe that the programs offered are not designed to help. Your example was perfect, it is just too bad that there is no willingness to support change with these "penny wise" politicians. I wonder how they would feel if the pharmaceutical companies stop paying them huge stipends and put the money back into serving the people?
Michelle, this is great. Well said. Unfortunately, so true. I used to listen to Chuck Swindoll faithfully. It has been so long, I didn't know he joined the ranks of those who begged for money. So sad to hear that. Thanks for sharing. It is true, history repeats itself. Even the bible says there is nothing new under the sun. Great job!!!Thank you Teresa, I too used to watch Jim and Tammy when I was young. I only think I did that because my mom was watching. I remember wondering how her skin felt with all the make-up. It wasn't until I got older that I could see it for what it really was.Hugs and blessings,
hi michelle,another well written, interesting article. i love the way your words flow together.everybody has their handout fo money, it seems, but they need not bother looking this way:)thanks for sharing,best regards,sueThanks for reading Sue,I would rather help those in need and actually meet then to call in a c.c number or send them checks in the mail. Hmmm......
HI Michelle,What a great article. Bible history is repeating it self. The saddest part of all with these T.V. Evangelist is, they have the chance to change hundreds of lives with the gospel, but they make it something vial when they do it just to line their pockets with money. I can't help but wonder, how many people have they turned off to our Lord with their wicked ways. Keep on writting..Thank you Angie,I pray that if I wander that someone will reel me in with lightning speed. God bless you my friend.
Yes and it will continue until Christ returns. Now they actually have many missions in mind. Some of these are to spread the word through all avaiable means and that takes money, teach and that means product to reach the masess and out reach, missions which also costs $$$$. The problem is when they take away the sacred from within Gods house. The problem is the bling they aquire through that effort and finally the law of diminishing returns. Just when dos it do more harm then good? As for the moneychangers in Congress, business who profess, mere words. Good job, you should write more to this sicne you attract many female readers. Theya re open to what you have to say.Thank you Robert,I appreciate your comments. Yes there is a vast of people who need to be reached. It is of most importance to not lose sight of what the goal really is.God bless
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