Peddling the Word of God for profit.

[B-A-C]

2Cor 2:17; For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Have you ever wondered about mega-church pastors who are millionaires?

John 2:16; and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business."

Acts 8:18; Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19; saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:20; But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Acts 8:21; "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

1Tim 6:5; and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Tit 1:10; For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
Tit 1:11; who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

1Pet 5:2; shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Now don't get me wrong. I tithe, I'm all for the church and pastors making a living. It takes money to operate and survive.
I'm even OK with publishing companies making money by selling Bibles up to a point. It costs money to make Bibles, paper, ink, leather bindings, employees and machines cost money.

But at what point does it become "sordid gain"? How many millions of dollars do I need before enough is enough?
Am I preaching to make money, or am I preaching to spread the gospel? What is the priority here?

One of my favorite old time pastors is S.M. Lockridge.

But there is a point in this sermon where he talks about the word of God. Particularly being used in songs.
He goes on to say God didn't take out a copyright, on the songs the birds sing. They don't pay Him to sing.

I personally think it's great when songs are based on scripture. ( although in some cases, it's twisted half-scriptures )
But you don't own the words. You didn't write the lyrics. God did. Are you making a profit from God's word?
And again... are you writing songs to get rich, or to truly worship God is spirit and in truth?

 

[Brother Paul]

2Cor 2:17; For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Have you ever wondered about mega-church pastors who are millionaires?

John 2:16; and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business."

Acts 8:18; Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19; saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:20; But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Acts 8:21; "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

1Tim 6:5; and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Tit 1:10; For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
Tit 1:11; who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

1Pet 5:2; shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Now don't get me wrong. I tithe, I'm all for the church and pastors making a living. It takes money to operate and survive.
I'm even OK with publishing companies making money by selling Bibles up to a point. It costs money to make Bibles, paper, ink, leather bindings, employees and machines cost money.

But at what point does it become "sordid gain"? How many millions of dollars do I need before enough is enough?
Am I preaching to make money, or am I preaching to spread the gospel? What is the priority here?

One of my favorite old time pastors is S.M. Lockridge.

But there is a point in this sermon where he talks about the word of God. Particularly being used in songs.
He goes on to say God didn't take out a copyright, on the songs the birds sing. They don't pay Him to sing.

I personally think it's great when songs are based on scripture. ( although in some cases, it's twisted half-scriptures )
But you don't own the words. You didn't write the lyrics. God did. Are you making a profit from God's word?
And again... are you writing songs to get rich, or to truly worship God is spirit and in truth?

Thanks! That is so true. They are not true Christians and despite any sinner's prayer or being immersed, they are not His. They will get justice at the Judgment and sadly thy drive millions out of the Kingdom. Let us pray for them.