Jesus warned about religious profiteers. Matthew 23: 13-14. “Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.'”
The “scribes and Pharisees” of Jesus’ time demanded that people give sheep and cattle to The Temple. What gifts did they make? “A tiny pot of thyme or other herbs from our windowsill is worth more than the bullock you have spent years to raise! We are giving more than you!”
That hypocrisy kept them from entering The Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, many were so offended they stopped believing in a God Who allowed such lies and theft in His name.
Catholics are blessed to avoid similar religious profiteers. Catholics snicker when we hear: “You should tithe ten percent because the Bible says so.”
We remember that earlier “scribes and Pharisees” had a reason to say that. People had no heating assistance, public education, medical help, food stamps, free cell phones, and other benefits paid for by taxpayers.
Today, “scribes and Pharisees” put the 10% mostly in their pockets! Catholics are blessed to be spared their ravages. Financial advisors report that each Protestant attending services must give $26.00 a week to cover expenses. Catholics put in a few dollars!
Today’s “scribes and Pharisees” discourage people from fully obeying the clear call to Catholic Communion that Jesus repeated an incredible 14 times: “If you do not eat My Body and drink My Blood you do not have life in you.” By doing so, they put themselves among the profiteering Protestants of the past: “You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.'”
Jesus warned about religious profiteers. Catholics are blessed to be saved from their depredations.
