The temple in Jerusalem, which was consecrated to the Lord, had attracted all sorts of businesses who traded profitably rather like the shrine shops in pagan temples.  In some ways it seemed legitimate and practical: worshippers travelling a long way would prefer to buy an animal or bird for sacrifice in Jerusalem rather than carry or drive it from their home village.  But, when they arrived at the outer court of the temple (the Court of the Gentiles), where these animals were being traded, no coin with an image of a foreign ruler or pagan god on it would be accepted, only Jewish Temple Money.  That is why a whole 'bureau de change' industry developed with money changers extorting high exchange rates as commission. They also sold the half shekel coin which every adult male worshipper had to give as an offering to the temple treasury.
 
Jesus was furious, physically overturning the money brokers' tables and scattering their coins.  He was indignant that the place which had been consecrated to the glory and worship of God should tolerate the immoral 'service charges' of the money changers and the self-interest of the animal traders.  He quoted from Isaiah 56:7 to declare that not only was God’s house a ‘house of prayer’, but it was His house too, thus asserting His divinity.  Then Jesus quoted directly from Jeremiah 7:11 where the prophet said that God was watching as they turned His house into a den of robbers.  

Instead of giving to God their worship and pledges of devotion, they were taking from what is God’s to build their own little empires.  They were using God's house as a mask to cover their greed and the holy sacrifices as a veneer of respectability over their lust for money.  And, at the other end of the religious spectrum, the chief priests and rabbis were plotting to kill Jesus, although ordinary people thought that every word from Jesus was priceless.  What a tragedy when holy things become business commodities, and supposedly holy people hate the Holy One from God!
 
It still happens today.  Religion is easily hijacked by those who want to take advantage of people's devotion and generosity.  It is still a temptation for some to use the church or a ministry to get wealth, power or influence.  Some leaders think that believers can be coerced into giving them money, or that they can trade under a religious banner claiming that the 'worker is worthy of his hire'.  Whatever their motives, and however they mask their greed, one thing is clear: they are not listening to Jesus.  They are obsessed with themselves – what they can get, making a career and gaining prestige in the church.  If you are like that, repent today! It makes God angry. Then learn to accept God's Word as a message for yourself and submit to it. As you do, you will discover that wholesome worship is an antidote to greed and you will start to experience the confidence of knowing that God will provide for all your needs (Philippians 4:19).