Disappointing Websites

[Scrum]

So disappointed with a lot of the great Evangelist websites. The sites are very confusing. First thing you see is all of their books being sold and no mention of the way to Jesus unless you spend a hour looking for it. That is my gripe for the day.

 

[Chris]

I know what you mean. It is sad.

 

[mattfivefour]

They seem to be too busy promoting their ministry than to uplift Christ and the way to salvation.

 

[Kem]

Even my favorite TV preachers Dr. David Jeremiah and Dr.Michael Youssef seem to spend an awful lot of time promoting their books and DVDs on their air time. Sad.

 

[Jonathan]

Even my favorite teacher, the late Chuck Missler, had tons of books and DVDs to buy, and he did promote them here and there. I'm not sure what to think of that, because a good teacher (he insisted on never being called a preacher or pastor because he didn't want to be judged 2x by the Lord) has to earn his keep to keep on teaching.

I really like Hal Lindsey, but it always confuses me that with "The Late Great Planet Earth" he apparently had the best selling book in America and worldwide, which must have been a windfall financially, making him very wealthy. But he always asks for contributions to keep his ministry going.

I'm not judging.

Maybe he gave the vast majority of his profits to Christian charities (and doesn't want to say so because his rewards are in heaven), or maybe he wants to bring people into the fold to have skin in the game.

Anyways, we live in a world ruled by money. And the bills don't pay themselves. It is sometimes hard to discern who is trying to make a racket of ministry and those who are trying to honestly support themselves while spreading the gospel.

I don't mind shelling out good money for good teaching. I've bought a large number of books from teachers I support (and unfortunately, sometimes on teachers who I wasn't wise enough at the time to discard).

There is a verse, I believe, in The Bible, that even a teacher/preacher is entitled to his earthly wages. Can't think of where it is though. If someone could help me with that I would appreciate it.

But, the point is, I have no problem with a servant of God making a good living (not mansions and private jets) doing his job, as long as he is, well, doing his job (before God).

 

[mattfivefour]

There is a verse, I believe, in The Bible, that even a teacher/preacher is entitled to his earthly wages. Can't think of where it is though. If someone could help me with that I would appreciate it.

1 Timothy 5:17-18 reads: "Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The worker is worthy of his wages.'” In Matthew 10:10, Jesus told His disciples when they went out to spread the Kingdom news: "Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions." And in Luke 10:7. Jesus told them: "Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house."

And post-Cross, regarding Christian workers (including himself), the apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth: "3 This is my defense to those who scrutinize me: 4 Have we no right to food and to drink? 5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? 8 Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”b Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:3-14)

I think that is pretty clear.

 

[Scrum]

I agree that they should be paid. I just think it has got to be hard for a person that is searching for Jesus the first time and all they see is books being sold and big donation click boxes. These websites first and foremost should be telling people why they need Jesus and how to invite Jesus into their lives.

 

[mattfivefour]

I agree that they should be paid. I just think it has got to be hard for a person that is searching for Jesus the first time and all they see is books being sold and big donation click boxes. These websites first and foremost should be telling people why they need Jesus and how to invite Jesus into their lives.

And that I completely agree with!!!

 

[athenasius]

I agree that they should be paid. I just think it has got to be hard for a person that is searching for Jesus the first time and all they see is books being sold and big donation click boxes. These websites first and foremost should be telling people why they need Jesus and how to invite Jesus into their lives.

Kind of like going into a new church and being swooped on by someone selling some MultiLevel Marketing for vitamins, candles, kitchen products or makeup. Depending on how vulnerable you feel that could have you buying the person off with an assortment of stuff you didn't want and don't need or my personal favourite, heading right back out the front door never to go back.

 

[Jonathan]

1 Timothy 5:17-18 reads: "Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The worker is worthy of his wages.'” In Matthew 10:10, Jesus told His disciples when they went out to spread the Kingdom news: "Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions." And in Luke 10:7. Jesus told them: "Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house."

And post-Cross, regarding Christian workers (including himself), the apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth: "3 This is my defense to those who scrutinize me: 4 Have we no right to food and to drink? 5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? 8 Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”b Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:3-14)

I think that is pretty clear.

Thanks Adrian, you are truly a scholar of God's word. That was exactly the verse I was thinking of but couldn't pinpoint it.