Sunday, October 5, 2014

The Sale of Christian Music and Art -- A Robbers' Den?

Christ Cleansing the Temple
It's been accepted as common practice among Christian musicians and artists to sell their music and artwork, as we all know.  They charge a price for their music albums and for their concerts, as well as their paintings and even electronic images of their artwork.  In fact, they even require that you purchase a license just to display the lyrics to their copyrighted music during worship in Church! But is that right?  Is it right sometimes in certain circumstances, but not in others? What does the Bible say about it?

You will recall the passage of Scripture describing the time when Jesus went into the temple and drove out the merchants selling their merchandise and the money changers.  He told them that they had turned His Father's house into a den of robbers or into a place of business.

"And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, 'Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business.' His disciples remembered that it was written, 'ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.'"  (Joh 2:14-17)

Matthew's gospel states: "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He *said to them, 'It is written, '"My house shall be called a house of prayer"; but you are making it a robbers' den.'" (Mat 21:12-13)

Selling Christian Music
What is the difference between those merchants selling animals to be used as offerings unto God and merchants selling Christian music for profit?  In many cases, it was the Lord who gave the songwriters or recording artists the songs of worship and praise.  He didn't give it to them for their own benefit to claim as their own or to sell for profit.  He gave it to them for His glory and for His kingdom and for His people to bring offerings of worship and praise unto Him.  In fact, many of the songs contain direct quotes from the Scriptures, such as the Psalms and the book of Revelation, which were originally inspired by the Holy Spirit, not by the modern songwriter.  

In many cases, these things are sold inside of Churches, but it makes no difference what the physical location is.  The Church is not just a building. Just because this is done in a public forum, like Christian bookstores and Internet shopping outlets, does not make it right.  The Church exists wherever two or three are assembled in Jesus' name.  So the passage I have just quoted is directly applicable to the sale of music and art.

I do believe as Keith Green did that when God has given us a gift and a ministry that we should not charge people, but rather accept offerings.  "In 1979, after negotiating a release from his contract with Sparrow, Green initiated a new policy of refusing to charge money for concerts or albums." -- Wikipedia.

Worship is not for sale!  Neither is Christian ministry! I am open to dialogue on this, but if you believe in selling Christian music, then please cite the Scriptures that you believe allow that practice.

Selling Christian Art
And the same goes for sacred Christian art, paintings or drawings of our Lord Jesus or scenes from the Bible. In some cases, this is simply putting the Bible into pictorial format, and selling it for profit. What's the difference between that and selling the Word of God or selling the Bible?  Even if there are indeed certain instances where it is appropriate to sell Christian art, it is wrong to prevent other brethren in Christ from even using an electronic image of that art for non-profit purposes, unless they pay a fee, even when proper credit is given to the artist and copyright is cited.  One godly, Christian artist friend of mine DOES allow the use of electronic images of his art with permission, as long as he is credited as the artist, copyright is cited, and a link back to his website is given.  I truly appreciate this brother’s gracious attitude, which is very generous, and I would be open to comments from my readers on this topic.

Should Christian artists charge only for their production and shipping costs, and accept only love offerings for their work as Keith Greene used to do with his music?  When would it be appropriate to charge a set price, and in what circumstances would it not be, according to God's Word?

Selling God's Word
Now that brings up another issue, which is the sale of Bibles.  I personally have no problem with publishers charging enough for Bibles to cover their costs in producing them, in terms of the printing and distribution.  But these days Bibles are exorbitantly expensive, when they should be relatively inexpensive or free.  In the front of my Bible -- and yours, too -- it says that it is copyrighted and that it may not be reproduced in any form without permission.  The Word of God is not for sale! According to the Word of God, nobody has the right to do so or to prohibit people from copying and distributing it.

Do you think it is ever appropriate for publishers to prohibit people from copying or distributing the Scriptures?  Do you think it is appropriate for them to make a profit from God's Word?  If so, based on what Scriptures?

Selling Prophecies, Sermons, Teachings, and Oil
What is the difference between selling Christian music, art, and Bibles, and selling sermons?  If the Lord gave you the sermon, you have no right to sell it for profit.  It is no different from selling your Bible teachings from the Lord. Yet how many are out there hocking their teaching sets on CD or DVD, or in books!  And what is the difference between that and selling bottles of anointing oil for a price?  How about selling pews or seats in church, as some churches once practiced?  Is it right to sell prophecies?  Absolutely not!  That's how false prophets operate, giving prophecies for a price, which is not too much different than paying a fortune teller.  So why have we accepted the worldly practice of selling God's gifts and talents like music, art, preaching and teaching?

Using Gifts and Talents to Generate Wealth
It is wrong to use the gifts and talents the Lord gave you to generate wealth for the purpose of fulfilling your heart’s desires or for your own plans and designs. It should be done in the name of Jesus, for the Lord, and for the glory of God alone. As we use our gifts and talents, we must avoid covetousness, which is “a strong desire after the possession of worldly things” (Easton's Bible Dictionary). It is “a strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; -- in a bad sense” (Webster’s). This sin is condemned in Scripture and listed among those that would exclude one from heaven (Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10; Matthew 6:20).

And you should not turn the house of God into a business or rob others, especially the poor, or take advantage of them. In fact, you need to consider that the poor may not be able to afford these things, but may benefit greatly from them. The kingdom purposes of God must be first, not greed, covetousness, or selfishness.  The Lord defines greed as having more than you need.  The Lord defines selfishness as keeping everything for yourself while others don’t have.

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Mat 6:24)

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1Ti 6:10)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Heb 13:5)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:19-21, NIV)

If one is truly only charging enough to cover costs and provide a modest income for his family, that is between him and God. The Lord knows each heart, and each one will give an account to God for his own actions.

“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Rom 14:12)

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33)

"Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'” (Lk 12:15; also see Mt 23:25)

It is wrong to charge churches and other non-profit Christian ministries for the mere use of electronic images or for the use of lyrics, or for the use of songs for non-profit ministry purposes, as long as proper credit is given and they are used for the glory of God, in Jesus name and not for generating wealth, producing new products for sale, or fulfilling one’s selfish desires.

We must be righteous and blameless in our conduct, and operate with integrity, not as the world does.  The Church is not a business!

Offering Teachings, Poems, Art, and Songs for Free
I do not charge anything for any of my blogs, and neither have I monetized my blogs (you will notice that there are no banner ads or popup ads on my websites), although we certainly would gladly accept an offering if someone chose to do so. Rather than publish them as books and sell them, I have made my writings available to the public free of charge, and you can find them at Writing for the Master. The same goes for the songs we have written, which are available free of charge to the public at Jesus Reigns. Our children's poetry is also available free of charge to the public at Verses to the King, just as their artwork is free at A Brush with Life. and their photography is free at A Shutter of Awe.  Rather than seeing these as an opportunity to make money, we see them as a gift from God meant to bless people.  There are many others who share our perspective, such as The Gideons International, who give out free Bibles, as well as Rick Meyers, who freely gives away the electronic Bible known as e-sword.  

In turn the Bible teaches that the one who is taught the Word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. (Gal 6:6).  That means that people should give to support ministries that are blessing them spiritually.  I think it would be entirely appropriate and would please the Lord if those who read my articles gave an offering, even if it was a small one, so that our needs could be met and we could continue with our ministry. But there is no such thing as a mandatory love offering in order to receive Christian ministry.

Peddling the Word of God
I realize that the worker is worthy of his keep (Mt 10:10) and if a man preaches the gospel, he has a right to make a living from the gospel (1 Cor 9:14).  We may accept offerings and live by faith, trusting God to provide for us, as we share with others the gifts and talents He has blessed us with.  But that does not mean we have the right to charge people a set price for our music, artwork, prophecies, preaching, or teaching, unless it is simply to cover the production and shipping costs.  Charging a set price (over and above production and shipping costs) is just as ridiculous as requiring a mandatory love offering. Those who do so have made money their idol, and the practice of charging for these things is basically peddling the Word of God.  Paul said, "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." (2Co 2:17)

Buying the Gift of God with Money
Let's not forget what the apostle Peter said to Simon the sorcerer.  "Peter answered: 'May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.'” (Ac 8:20-23).

There is a parallel between the sin of Simon the sorcerer and what some people do today to sell their talents for money.

Confirmation from South Africa
After I wrote this article, I sent it to a sister I know in South Africa, named Susan W.  She is a former Muslim, who is following Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  I did not even know anything about the talent the Lord has given her with singing, but she has a beautiful voice, and many people have remarked to her about it.  Some have advised her to record her music on albums, and write her own songs, and sell them, but she has refused to do so. After she read this article, she wrote back to me the following letter:

"Dear brother Len,

"This article is very thought provoking."

"In my early years, I was singing in church and people loved my singing in praise and worship.  Many of the Pastors of the church that I attended, would never start preaching without asking me to present a worship song.  I sang only, after coming from the prayer closet. Many people asked me to record the songs and write my own and sell.  I resented that and I said that I could never use what the Lord has given me to make money with.  I remember a certain gospel musician from the country of my ancestors, the land of Kenya, approached me and she asked me to go ahead and record.  I resented.  I was even invited to go and sign in India but could not go because I did not have any financial means to.  I have never recorded and I do not sing anymore, but I sing unto the Lord on my own...I am His workmanship and I live to bring Him Glory and Honor."

"People are singing (the so called artists) and selling their music to have material gain.  Many years ago, I listened to a radio interview of a very famous established gospel (praise and worship) musician.  She said in the interview, that nowadays people are peddling their songs.  She said that she and her group would fast and pray before they could even produce a song and record it.  Seeking the Lord’s will and what message He wanted them to pass on.  Their music cassettes were affordable."

"If you listen to prophet Dr. David Owuor during his trip to Cameroon earlier this year, you will hear clearly that he is against peddling and he says if God has sent you somewhere to take a message, you do not need any money.  The one who has called you, will provide for you, because it is His work and not you sending yourself.  However, you can ask for donations, if anybody is willing to financially support.  Look for instance at Maurice Sklar.  He operates from this principle, too, if I am not mistaken.  Have you seen the late sister Choo Thomas and how she operated?  I got in touch with her in 2008 and was in contact with her all this while until she passed on.  She sent me her DVDs for free.  She was charging for her book Heaven Is So Real but to get the money for production only."

"There is no difference in what is being done by the so-called Christian Gospel singers (artists) than doing any other business.  They are not singing or preaching with compassion for the lost, but to make money for themselves and drive big cars, own huge houses.  Brother Len, people will burn in hell!"

Warning to Those Using Talents to Make Money
I hope that this has served as a wake up call to the Church about this worldly practice. There is a difference between accepting offerings as a workman worthy of his keep versus selling things to make money.  The Lord is against greed, covetousness, selfishness, merchandising in the Church, selling the gift of God for money, and peddling the Word of God.

Three years after posting this article, I saw a prophetic message given on September 4, 2017 by brother Sadhu Sundar Salvaraj, entitled Jesus Will Whip The Churches That Do Business In The Last Days, in which he confirmed what I have said in this article. He was in a church in India where offerings had been placed on the altar in earthen jars as was their custom, but the Lord came into the church with a whip and told him to tell the church that He did not accept their offerings. The Lord then proceeded to use His big whip to break the earthen jars in the spirit, although they did not break in the natural. And the prophet had the task of delivering that difficult message to the church that Easter morning. He emphasized that God's house is a house of prayer primarily, and the Lord is against merchandising in the church. He preached that we need to cleanse the churches of business opportunists who are doing so in the house of God, or else the Lord will come to our church with a whip. For the brief, twelve-minute message, see here.

I would like to close with a warning given to Samuel Oghenetega by the Lord Jesus Christ.  This warning is to those using talents to make money.  The Lord said, "Tell those using the talents I gave them to make money and their hearts' desires to stop or else I will take it from them and give it to another. I will cast them into the lake of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mt 25:14-30."  I did not say that.  The Lord did.  Stop fulfilling your own plans and designs. Invest your talents in His service.  Give your talents to God. If you have been practicing this sin of peddling the Word of God, selling your Christian merchandise in the Church or to the Church for profit, then I repeat to you the words of our Lord: Take these things away; stop making the Father's house a place of business!

To those who thought you could sell the gift of God for money, you need to know the Bible calls it wickedness. Your hearts are not right with God. As Peter said, you had better repent of this wickedness before Jesus comes, and cry out to God for mercy, in the hope that He may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For you are captive to sin. You may also need to make restitution to the poor people you have robbed. He still loves you, but He will not lower His standard of heaven for anyone.

Attribution notice: Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. Christ Cleansing the Temple, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1875

Author's Note: If you disagree with this article, please pray about it and leave thoughtful, referenced comments that would be conducive to healthy dialogue. If you enjoyed this post, you may also like The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega, Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead, Holy Living in a Perverted World, and the other posts on the home page. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do you want to know Him?
If you want to know Jesus, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Him. 

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.


Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

25 comments:

  1. So donations are ok? Am I hearing you correctly?

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    1. Joe, donations for what? If you are talking about preaching the gospel to a congregation, yes. If you are talking about teaching the Word of God to a congregation, yes.

      On the other hand, if you have a product, and you request a "minimum love offering" of X amount, that is not what I mean. Not that you would do that.

      Keith Greene used to give away his tapes and accept donations. Read about him on Wikipedia. He could not justify charging people for his ministry including his recordings and concerts.

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  2. Thanks Len for your help! I am about to release an album and I felt a tug to give it away although it has costs thousands to produce and record. Ultimately, I don't feel there is such a thing as a christian "artist". I am already giving the songs away on soundcloud and have had over 16,000 plays in the last 2 months or so. So just looking for guidance. Thanks for all your help!

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  3. You're welcome, Joe. If you follow God's ways, you will be eternally blessed, rest assured. And you will have a blessed ministry. Shalom!

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  4. Hello Len,

    I hope that you are doing very well. Thank you for sharing this. I have just a few questions for you:

    1) If a Christian does not sell their own music, but gets asked to collaborate with (be featured on) another Christian musician's song, should they (the Christian who normally doesn't sell their own music) require that the person they're collaborating with (or their record company) to pay them?

    2) If a Christian does not sell their own music, but gets asked to produce (arrange, mix, make music on instruments for, etc.) another Christian musician's song, should they (the Christian who normally doesn't sell their own music) require that the person they're producing for (or their record company) to pay them?

    3) If a Christian does not sell their own music, but gets asked to have their song(s) or music played in a Christian movie (or commercial, etc.), should they (the Christian who normally doesn't sell their own music) require that the company pay them?

    Please inform me of any Scripture that you know that support the answers you give. Thank you and God blessings to you, in the name of Jesus.

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    1. Dear M.F., Thanks for reading and commenting. I am glad you are grappling with these things, but I do not have answers for you. All I am getting when I read your 3 questions is that a Christian who does not normally sell their own music is wondering if there are instances where they should require payment from others in certain instances in regard to the production of Christian music. I don't think I would say the person should "require" payment. And I'm not sure it would be appropriate to do so.

      Maybe this would be a good opportunity for this person to speak to the others involved about his/her viewpoint about the sale of such music.

      Blessings.

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  5. Thank you for the comment and quick reply. I will continue to pray about the answers and study the Word of God for answers to questions like the three I mentioned. I know that through the Holy Spirit, Jesus can/will lead His people on exactly what to do in situations like that (as well as all situations). God's blessings to you.

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    1. You are welcome. Please prayerfully consider this:
      http://doulostrainingschool.blogspot.com/2015/08/doulos-training-school.html.

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  6. Hi Len,


    Thank you for considering this topic and sharing! It was an interesting read, and a question the I have often pondered here and there in my walk with God, but am deciding to take it off the back burner and confront/bring before Him if I'm going to proceed in life. I am a fine artist, and usually have done paintings as-well as ink pen sketches/drawings, which have grown to become attractive to my peers as time goes on it seems(objectively). Being an artist I believe is a part of who I am, how I was made, a gift of mine, and how I can speak to the world. I want to bring glory to The Lord through it most of all, and that is what drives me to produce these works. However, many friends/family of mine have encouraged me greatly to sell my work or turn it into a business. As this thought has been brought to my attention, I then started to think it wasn't a bad idea but went to The Word and have been in prayer about this matter for a little while. As I have read through your blog post, the key scriptures you used that seem to be clues of forbidding the idea, I did recall the same ones when I was searching and can see how that makes sense. However, when reading through some clues I found in The Word that seemed to allow or condone the consideration (or give a neutral answer), I then started to believe that this was more of a gray area that God has given freedom in for us to make the most out of the opportunity for Him (like, glorifying Him both through product, conduct, and profits). Also, I have honestly felt even more encouraged by looking at all the Christian artists/successful people that I have known or heard of(both local and famous) in which they have seemed to be examples of using their gifts to glorify God through both; product and profits. Such being even most of the musical artists that I have bought music from and listen on a daily that helps remind about what matters in life. From artist to artist, that's a way that I have been powerfully spoken to often. That's another contributing reason why I had thought it wasn't a problem in a believer's life, and might actually be a place where God might lead some of His children into for His purposes(both seen and unseen).

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  7. (2/2) Of course though, the motive for earning those profits do matter. As for my personal situation, I would use that to; help my family, the needs of my household, college(maybe if still called),investing in a small humble home for myself to move out one day on my own (I'm still young but need to be wise and plan for the future I feel), other ministry(ies), missions, tithing, miscellaneous needs(like; car, insurance, gas, etc.), and investing in more supplies to produce more(if demand is persistent).I know that got a little personal (and I'm sorry if that was too T.M.I) but those are pretty much the main specific plans of how I would use those profits if they came, to help give some perspective and even allow room for some confirmational encouragement or even rebuke. Also- as a last FYI (if it helps with more perspective), I have come from a low-income, single parent household and have seen what hard work to barely making it looks like. My mother has been the one who has often encouraged to me her pearls of wisdom (as she calls it) to be my own boss by having my own business. Because, she has not experienced true freedom by working through a corporation under one who has the power to take her job away by one word even. That honestly hasn't sounded like too bad of an idea to me, along with all the other signs I believe were confirming toward that direction. By people surrounding me encouraging me to do the same(both friends, blood-family, and church family) and through objective search through what The Word says. Then when it came to actually thinking about what that product will be to produce that people like, I thought about the only thing so far that I have produced in which people have liked(my art). Also- I have gotten various personal commissions from people at different times/seasons of life. It's always a joy to have the opportunity to create for people and bring light to them through an image. However, I am a college student and each piece inevitably requires a pretty good amount of time for best quality(some longer than other, depending on medium/idea) in which can sometimes be scarce depending on what type of request it is(either commision or buying an old original) when it's made, and if there's a deadline expectation or not.I do mutually agree though that there is that tension of how charges should go. From only charging according to 'necessary' circumstances(observation of either a poor or wealthy clientele) to family/friends requests. That too is an area that I'm not sure would be the wisest/ethical way to go. To add- there is also the fair trade to keep in mind when it comes to charging people 'selectively'(as it seems from their perspective) when one gets charged and finds out that another hasn't. These have mainly been my reasons along with my concerns/thoughts in this matter. (2/2)

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  8. This wouldn't be important to me if I didn't have much to think or consider(especially since this can impact my future). Overall, what I seek is to follow Jesus to the fullest. That's why I am trying to yield all these plans/dreams of mine before Him at His feet before I proceed. If it turns out that He's with me on this, then I am excited to start planning. But yet again, it this turns out otherwise and those specific passages you shared that I have recalled myself before to include this under that umbrella, then looks like this would be another part of 'counting the cost' or dying to self. Lastly- here are the other biblical references that I have found during my search on the matter:


    -Matthew 10:10
    -1 Corinthians 9:14
    -Proverbs 21:25
    -Proverbs 18:9-10
    -Proverbs 10:3-5
    -Proverbs 6:6-8
    -Proverbs 31:24
    -1 Timothy 5:8-9
    -2 Thessalonians 3:9-10
    -Ecclesiastes 2:24
    -1 Corinthians 10:31


    I encourage you to take a look at these and consider them prayerfully. When you get a chance, and let me know what you think! Would love to hear your thoughts on this.


    Thank You,


    ~Chey

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  9. Hi. I'm so convicted by these words. I see the truth in them and intend to apply them when it becomes applicable. I do have a question. You mentioned production costs. That it's ok to charge people to cover production and distribution but how much does that equate to. Many of the songs i buy are cheap in pounds. 0.79 pounds or 0.99pounds. Is this wrong?

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    1. Dear reader, I'm glad this helped you. I cannot speak to your exact situation. For one thing, I don't understand what you are asking, and second of all, it would be best to pray and ask the Lord. I do think it is ok to charge production costs, and my reason is that it is enabling you to keep doing what you are doing without profiting from it. But you can also choose not to charge production costs, as in the case of these blogs of mine that are provided free of charge.

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  10. I have sought God on how to proceed with my gospel songs and talents that HE blessed me with. My spirit man started having a question about charging for Christian conferences, then Christian music. I now believe that I should freely give of the gifts God has given me and give people the opportunity to sow love offerings as the spirit of God leads. "Freely received, Freely give!" Thanks for sharing and it was confirmation for me!!!

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    1. You're welcome. That's good feedback. God bless you.

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  11. I thank the Lord that you have written and posted this article. I want to do Christian filmmaking in the near future, but today I was started thinking about the question of the "Christian music industry." That if someone "worships" for money, then they're really worshiping money.

    I had thought to do films for donation, but now I see the severity of just how much that needs to be a concrete principle. This is why it's so important to 'listen' to the Holy Spirit! A gentle nudge of something as simple as "do it for donations only" is to prevent you from hurling off a cliff!

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    1. That's interesting how you heard from the Lord and He confirmed it through this article. Praise the Lord.

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  12. I have no personal stake in this, as I have no particular talents, and I do tend to lean to this side... but the judgmental tone of this lends me to ask... what about people who are gifted with administrative, leadership or other gifts? Should they offer their service for free, simply because it is spiritually based? Should pastors work for free? After all, their work is the most spiritual of all. Yet Paul says that they should be paid for their labor. Should missionaries all be "tentmakers", or are they entitled to ask for home support? According to your ideals, no spiritually gifts or talents used for ministry should be supported by the church financially. Why should this be different for using spiritual gifts? Should all ministers be uncompensated? And if so, what would that mean for ministers of the church? Do you suggest the pastors should live off of love offerings? Because, all things being equal, this is EXACTLY how it should be, according to your logic. Just some thoughts.

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    1. Dear unknown reader, thanks for reading and commenting anonymously. However, I beg to differ. There is a big difference between a preacher or teacher of the Word accepting support from those who freely give. But it would be wrong for a pastor to charge a set fee for service. If people had to pay at the door to get tickets to his service, like one mega church pastor did at an event that he held. It would be wrong for him to charge a mandatory fee for anyone to listen to his sermon. It would be wrong for an evangelist to tell a church that he will only come and preach there if he receives a certain minimum amount of money. It would be wrong for a teacher of the Word to charge a fee for people to come and listen to him teach the Bible. It would be sinful for a prophet to charge a fee to give someone a prophecy. It would be wrong for a missionary to charge the people they are ministering to for their services. Receiving support from individuals and churches is a wonderful blessing and makes missions work overseas possible (I know, since I am one and have served overseas), but we cannot equate that to charging any individual or church a minimum fee for service or demand that anyone give anything. It is all completely voluntary. And that is one reason why many missionaries have to come home, because so many of those who pledged of their own free will to give do not keep their word. That is one reason why so many ministers have to be tentmakers, because the support they receive is so unreliable. But you cannot equate charging a fee for worship music to people giving of their own free will to support a ministry. Read your Bible, and show me one instance where a true godly preacher, teacher, evangelist, apostle, prophet, or minstrel charged a minimum fee for their ministry. You will not find one.

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  13. Thank you so much. I prayed about this and God led me here. Can you recommend any YouTuber that sing gospel and don't sell any of their music? I tried your music page but didn't see any tunes. Also, does the South African woman you mentioned sing on YouTube?

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    1. You're welcome. The page with songs we've written is at this link: https://jesus-reigns.org/worship-songs. I am not aware of the South African sister having any songs posted online.

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    2. The Word means what it says period...true brothers and sisters endure to the end and recieve your crown!!!

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  14. What about Christian hip hop artists who sell 40 dollar hoodies and other merchandise with scriptures and Christian sayings on them? Is selling merch a sin also?

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    1. Good question, Chris. What is your opinion? Do you think Jesus or the apostles or anyone in the first century church would do anything like that?

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