Jesus is "for lease"? Really? Of course not, but the sign does make you do a double take, though. Money and religion; now there is a combination! I can honestly say money (or the lack of it) caused so many problems during my ministerial years that it hindered all my best efforts. Why? Because over the past few decades there has been so much damage done by tele-evangelists that people are reluctant to give as they probably should. So much so, that even when a congregation asked me to preach on it I would hesitate. Yet, I did as I was asked and I had a good teacher, as you will see by the following passage.2 Corinthians 9:1-10 (WEB)
1) It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2) for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3) But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
4) so that I won’t by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.
5) I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6) Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
9) As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
10) Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
(2 Corinthians 9:1-10, WEB)
The passage really is self-explanatory, but let me sum it up in a phrase: Jesus is LORD. If Jesus is truly LORD, then money doesn't really matter as much as WE think it does. How much should a person give? The answer is found in another question: How much do you love your LORD? When I saw the picture above, I knew of course that Jesus was not "for lease", but that in fact the words under the sign were LORD. But, it does make you think, doesn't it?