Monday, Monday...

...so good to me.

I really like the Mamas & The Papas. a lot.

and I like Easter week, too. it's crazy busy, and it's a lot of time at church, being the church. but that's okay. I figure that Jesus spent a few days being brutalized and trudging through Hell just to set me free, so I can give a few days that are focused on Him. that's pretty much the least I can do.

many thoughts cruising through my brain today, but here's the one that sticks out, so I'll share my musings on that:

the Monday before Easter is believed to have been the day that Jesus overturned the tables of the money-changers in the Temple.

that makes me wonder... how often do we practice thievery in the church? how many times do we take money from people (in good faith) and use it unwisely? all morning, I've heard the phrase "Tithing Sunday" being tossed around. what does the church do with the tithe?

now, I'm not asking 'what account does it go into?' read the question again. what does the church do with the tithe?

I'm not being flippant, I promise. but I do wonder. how much money do we hoard, for 'just in case'? I know of some churches (and parachurch organizations) that just keep opening new CDs and savings accounts. just keep stashing it away and spending just enough money to make it look like something's being done.

do you think that Jesus would come into our churches and overturn our communion tables, sending the offering plates flying? do you think He would accuse us of operating a den of thieves instead of a house of prayer?

maybe. I think many of us will be surprised when we finally end up at the Judgment Seat of Christ. we will be surprised at all of the good things that our actions have spawned, and we will be surprised at all the opportunities and blessings we missed because of our selfishness.

what about you? what are you doing with the blessings you've been given? and I'm not asking how much cash you put in the plate every week - I want to know what you're doing for the Kingdom of God - how are you using the talents and abilities that God has blessed you with?

let's focus (this week, for starters) on the wise stewardship of our gifts. let's practice daily being the church instead of fretting over the color of the carpet in the church building. let's pour ourselves into being the Body of Christ to a world that is hungering for Truth.

let's be who we are called by Jesus to be.


malachi 3:8-12