09
Tarnished
Jeff WeinkaufMicah 3:11-12
11 Her leaders judge for a bribe,
her priests teach for a price,
and her prophets tell fortunes for money.
Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say,
“Is not the Lord among us?
No disaster will come upon us.”
12 Therefore because of you,
Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,
the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.
Even good things can become corrupted, and even something Holy can be tarnished by less than pure intent. It's interesting to me that leaders referred to here are carrying out "holy work" but they've attached something impure to it. Justice is being administered, but it's corrupted by a bribe. Teaching is happening, but it comes at a price. Prophetic words are being given, but because of motive it's diminished to fortune telling. All of this is being done under the banner of the church. Although the church was established as a holy institution and is the bride of Christ, it can become corrupt when it is stewarded poorly.
As leaders, even more, as God's people we must be relentless in our self evaluation. When we sing "purify our hearts" we need to mean it! There should not be even a hint of corruption amongst our people. As we operate as "the church" or leaders in our community it's important we stay above board in all aspects. The church can not/should not be a covering for improper motives. It's not a club to join for influence or position. The church is the agent of God on this earth and for this time to dispense the most life changing news ever. God's Grace. It's a pure message of hope with no strings attached. Let us not be the ones to diminish it by attaching weights of our own making. Let us not fall into the trap of bending the calling of the church to fill our cup alone.
God help us to be pure of intent, above reproach, and agents of your Grace. God help us to see that corruption can be immorality, but also legalism. Help us to be pure of intent and pure of action. Help us to be wise God as you are wise. Purify our hearts! Amen.
