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QUESTION 81:
Do you think it is right to buy and sell in the church?

ANSWER:
I am assuming that you mean the building in which you gather. I think that Jesus gives a clear answer in John 2:14-15 "And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;"

The commercializing of the Gospel is one of the biggest hindrances to its acceptance of our day. There are T.V. Evangelist that are millionaires through their preying on people for money. The Bible preachers could say, "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel." (Acts 20:33) Again, "Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles." (3 John 1:7) Professing Christendom portrayed God has being extreme poor. They make appeals and seek to raise funds for Him. The God I know owns the cattle on the thousand of hills. (Psalms 50:10) Again, "The silver [is] mine, and the gold [is] mine, saith the LORD of hosts." (Haggai 2:8)

Any sort of public promotion of funds for the Lord's work would not be in keeping with New Testament Christianity. One of the biggest evils would be soliciting money from unsaved. "The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight." (Proverbs 15:8)

What God wants of unsaved people is clear. He wants them to "repent and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15). Dear reader, have you done this yet? It is repent or perish. (Luke 13:3) It is believe or be damned. (Mark 16:16). Make that choice today and be saved.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen