House or home?

"And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'" - Mark 11:17

Over the years I have visited many homes. Some were definitely "lived in" and others... well, they were show places, but certainly not much more. Some people love to "pimp" the larger part of their homes for others to see, but limit their living quarters. They have turned their homes into houses.

In a similar way, the religious leadership of Jesus' day was all about using God's Temple as house of profit rather than a home of praise. When Jesus arrived he was appalled at the loss of space which was intended for people of all nations to pray. He expressed rebuke toward a people who would misuse the Temple for their own gain, but would fail to use it for God's glory. It was time for God's Temple to be restored from a house to a home.

I have heard many believers show great disdain when a special speaker of musical group would sell books or CD's in the church foyer. I have been more intrigued in the absence of those same believers from prayer meeting. They want to protect the church from being misused, but they fail to use it as they should. Are you more concerned with the looks and use of your church rather than using it to the glory and praise of God yourself? Is your church a house or a home?