Why are we deceiving ourselves by trying so hard to prove that the church is not a business when indeed Jesus describes the church as a business.
The Bible uses many adjectives to describe the church: a family, a body, a fellowship, a flock, and more. Jesus has the best adjective to describe what the church is in Luke chapter 2 verse 49.
Luke 2:49 (Weymouth New Testament)
"Why is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father's business?"
From the Bible passage (above), it is crystal clear that the church is indeed a business (as described by Jesus). Why are we ashamed then? Why are we as Christians ashamed to admit that indeed we are in a business!
If the church is a business, What Kind of Business is the Church Business?
In Matthew Chapter 28 verses 18 to 20, Jesus speaking here gave a direct order on what the church's business is.
Matthew 28 vs 18 - 20
"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
"and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
In today's world, a lot of churches operates as a profit-making enterprise. One thing is clear from the King's command (the Bible passage above), the church is not a profit-making enterprise unlike what we have all around us today.
A lot of pastors sell a different product, they've completely abandoned the product (Jesus) that they were called into the business to market. They shamelessly manipulate the Bible to suit their agenda.
One of the most manipulated Bible verses has to be the book of Malachi chapter 3 verse 10.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house..."
Everyone seems to know this phrase, which includes the people who have never stepped their foot into a church. This is because this coercion is more popular than the king's business.
A lot of people have rightfully defended their men of God who use this style to defraud people of their hard-earned money. I do not blame them, we all have our right to do whatever we believe is right. One thing that baffles me though, is the fact that things that were written in black and white in the same Bible the man of God quoted from seems too far away from some people. Sometimes, I wonder if people read the Bible.
Before you judge me, let us read the same Malachi chapter 1.
Who is the book of Malachi addressed to in Malachi Chapter 3?
You might not be able to answer this question if you do not read the book of Malachi from chapter 1.
Malachi 1 verse 6
“A son honors his father, and a slave his master.
If I am a father, where is the honor due me?
If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty.
“It is you PRIESTS who show contempt for my name..."
Hmmmmmm.
The last sentence clearly mentioned the people who were addressed in the book of Malachi, the priests.
It is true that what you do not know the root of, you might be ignorant of the truth.
The priests during the time of the Prophet Malachi committed all sorts of atrocities. Some of them stole from the temple, some took other people's wives, some received tithes from the people, but take out of it for their own selfish gain, etc.
These acts moved God to anger, and through Prophet Malachi, He spoke to them in the words recorded in the book of Malachi.
All the curses in chapter 3 are meant for the corrupt priests, not the people. Chapter 2 of the book of Malachi clearly establish these facts.
Malachi 2 verse 1 - 2
“And now, you priests, this warning is for you.
If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honour my name,”
says the LORD Almighty,
“I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings.
Yes, I have already cursed them,
because you have not resolved to honour me."
From these verses of Malachi chapter 2, it is clear that the messages were directed to the priests who were disgracing the name of God in pursuit of their own business. Just as it is in today's world.
Let me re-emphasize this, I am not and will never underestimate the importance of a Pastor. This is not an attack on the church or any man of God, but a body of work put together to educate.
If you've not learned anything until this moment, I will suggest you stop reading, stop following me on social media, unsubscribe from my YouTube channel because I intend to use all these platforms to share well-researched teachings from the Bible. But, if you want to learn as much as I do want to learn every day, please stay connected with me.
Back to the church business. Or the King's business.
If truly the church is a business as established by Jesus himself (above), the question is: What are you selling?
In the book of John chapter 2 verse 16, the Bible describes what Jesus did to those who were selling doves in the temple.
John 2 verse 16
"To those who sold doves, he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
This is symbolic. a dove is a symbol of peace and innocence in different cultures around the world.
No matter how gentle or innocent-looking the business you are selling with the name of the church is, if it is not about marketing Jesus, You've turned the church into a marketplace. You should get out of the church!
In Matthew chapter 6 verse 24, the Bible clearly states that "no man or woman can serve two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money".
In conclusion, we have established the fact that the church is a huge business, and Pastors are the Chief Marketing officer marketing Jesus as a product. We have also established the fact that the church is not a money-making venture but a business that sells the love and peace of God to all men and women across the world.
I know these things cost money. It is okay for people to give willingly to a church, to support the church's aspirations and goals. But, it is wrong to make people give out of fear.
My name is Akinpelumi Akinboye, I hope you learned something from this article.
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