Topical Bible: Money: Changing of, a Trade

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of money changing and trade is deeply rooted in the economic practices of ancient times, as reflected in the biblical narrative. The Bible provides various insights into the role and regulation of money changing and trade, emphasizing principles of fairness, honesty, and integrity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, trade and the exchange of goods were common practices among the Israelites and their neighboring nations. The Law of Moses provided guidelines to ensure just transactions. For instance, Leviticus 19:35-36 instructs, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This command underscores the importance of honesty in trade, reflecting God's desire for His people to conduct business with integrity.

The role of money changers is not explicitly detailed in the Old Testament, but the practice of exchanging currency would have been necessary, especially during times of pilgrimage when people from various regions came to Jerusalem. The need for standardized weights and measures indicates a structured approach to trade and commerce.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the presence of money changers is most notably mentioned in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple is a significant event that highlights His condemnation of corrupt practices associated with money changing. In Matthew 21:12-13 , it is recorded, "Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. And He declared to them, 'It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of robbers.'"

This passage illustrates the misuse of money changing as a means of exploitation within a sacred space. The money changers were likely exchanging foreign currency for the temple shekel, which was required for the payment of the temple tax. However, the practice had become corrupt, with exorbitant fees and dishonest dealings, prompting Jesus' righteous anger.

Principles of Fair Trade

Throughout Scripture, the principles governing trade and money changing are rooted in the broader biblical themes of justice and righteousness. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This proverb reinforces the expectation that God's people engage in fair and honest trade, reflecting His character in their business dealings.

The Bible also warns against the love of money and the dangers it poses to one's spiritual well-being. In 1 Timothy 6:10 , Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This admonition serves as a reminder that while trade and money changing are necessary aspects of economic life, they must not become idols or lead to unethical behavior.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on money changing and trade emphasizes the importance of conducting business with honesty and integrity. The practices of the ancient world, as depicted in Scripture, provide timeless principles that continue to guide believers in their economic interactions today.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 2:15
And when he had made a whip 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;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Limitations.
... it may seem to be divine in its creative and changing power ... men is more than to be
able to give money in any ... of gold out of the mine of barter and trade, and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks with world winners/limitations.htm

Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week-On the Mount of Olives ...
... as they imagine, from being used for evil, without using it to trade for Christ ... Not
unfrequently the twofold business of money-changing and banking was combined ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii evening of the.htm

Commerce
... purposes, or as decoys); they who trade in seventh ... modification of Rabbinical views
with the changing circumstances of ... M.42), to divide one's money into three ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

The Story of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem
... Jesus learned the trade of a carpenter with Joseph; and when Joseph died ... for the
sacrifices, and other men sitting at tables changing the money of Jews who ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jesus the.htm

Six Years in North Bengal --Missionary and Indigo Planter
... to his old occupation of money-changing again ... on large salaries, made advances of
money to contractors ... had themselves liberty of private trade, and unscrupulous ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iv six years in.htm

A Drama in Five Acts
... in his ear that all this is but a changing scene, and ... busy making out the transfer;
the sum of money is waiting ... as only fit for Bedlam, "Let me trade and make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a drama in five acts.htm

The Disciples of Jesus.
... enabled the young prophet to live without following the trade which he had ... their
money was accursed, and the casuists forbade the changing of money with them ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter ix the disciples of.htm

Sin's Brood.
... with strange cunning and lustful ingenuity changing the natural ... Unconcerned barter
and trade in man's holy, most potent ... A man is apt to get money-drunk then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/sins brood.htm

I Knew How it Would Be.
... and soon found a good reason for changing his boarding ... forward to engaging in some
branch of trade for himself. ... the raising of a great deal of money; and this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/i knew how it would.htm

Be not Conformed to this World. Romans 12:2.
... as prompt and as eager to follow the changing of fashion ... "But we must spend a great
deal of money to bring ... merchant would go to an ungodly man to trade, who he ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be not conformed to this.htm