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"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that
hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and
without price." ---- Isaiah 55:1
"He found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves,
and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he
drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the
changers' money, and overthrew the tables; Then He said unto them that sold doves, 'Take
these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise'. His
disciples remembered that it was written, 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.'"
------ John 2:14-17
"What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when I preach the gospel,
I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I
might gain the more." ------ 1Cor. 9:18,19
WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE festival sight. The brother driving Melody and I there was warm and friendly. He asked me how I felt about doing these festivals. I told him that I had mixed feelings. The most positive reason for doing them, I told him, was that I could reach more people in just one night than I could in a week of regular concerts. I then explained my two biggest negatives to him. One was the high admission charged to get in and share the fellowship, music and teaching. The second was all that stuff they had for sale in the concession tents. 'Oh," he said, "you mean Jesus Junk." I couldn't believe my ears! There couldn't be two more opposite words in the English language than "Jesus" and "junk!" But there they were, casually being linked together without even a second thought. I had to laugh. I guess I couldn't blame him. It seemed the most appropriate label for some of the merchandise I had seen. Everyday items like clocks, coasters, drinking mugs, and billfolds, sometimes selling for even twice their usual value just because some enterprising Christian (or even, God forbid, non-Christian) stamped a dove or a fish on them. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD
As you can see, the potential profits to be made are luring many into the field of Christian-oriented products, who would normally have no interest in the gospel at all. GOSPEL MUSICThe Bible warns, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers" (II Cor. 6:14). Yet secular companies like MCA, Warner Brothers and others, are moving in quickly to start gospel labels. It baffles me how so many Christian speakers, bands, and singers can charge so much for their appearances (while Jesus and Paul charged nothing at all!) The ticket prices for concerts are a nail in Jesus' hand. Most unbelievers wouldn't pay to hear about Jesus (because they know in their hearts they shouldn't have to). We've got to make our voices known! The gospel is free!!! CAN SO MANY BE WRONG ??
NO BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONAs I study the Word of God, I have a hard time finding any biblical foundation for selling a Bible, or a record of songs or praises to God. Can you imagine how you would feel if you called your pastor telling him your mother was sick, and when you asked him to come over and pray for her, he said he could only come if you gave him $25! You wouldn't think much of a man like that, and yet every day there are music ministers, Christian teachers, and authors who are given much applause and great respect, even though they charge (and some very dearly) for their gift of ministry. In fact, that same pastor who gives of himself freely, praying and visiting the sick, is usually regarded as a "nobody" compared to one of those well-known ones. CHRISTIAN PLUMBERS
"HOW LONG, OH LORD ??"Before I was a Christian (around the age of 10 or 11), one of the funny things my friends used to write on the bathroom walls was, "Jesus saves ...... green stamps." We all used to laugh, not knowing how much we had dishonored our Creator, and had ridiculed His salvation work. Earlier this year, I was browsing in a very large Christian store, and came to the pottery and ceramic section. There on the shelf was a handmade piggy bank. On the side was engraved the words, "Jesus saves". My heart broke. I could hear the echoes of, "...... those who had been slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, Oh Lord, holy and true, wilt thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?' " (Rev. 6:9,10) I read in a recent Christian magazine about some new products soon to be on the market. One was a Christian doggie sweater --- The other was Christian ashtrays! How do you think the Lord feels, after giving His life for the sins of the world, to be reduced to something that helps sell merchandise? I'm certain He would make a whip and cleanse the Church of such garbage if He were on the earth today. However, a more permanent remedy is planned --- It is called Judgment Day !! |
At one Jesus festival last year there was over $98,000.00 worth of these goods sold in
just a few days! The festivals are not the only market place for items such as these. The
local Christian bookstore has also become quite a showcase for what I call "fish-and-dove"
products. That's not the worst of it !! Many secular companies and corporations are seeing
a golden opportunity to "cash in on religion." We recently received in the mail a whole
catalog full of what was called "Christian bric-a-brac." It was called, "A Christian
Family Catalog." It was crammed from cover to cover with every imaginable trinket, plaque,
statue, or other "ya-just-gotta-have" artifact that they could sell with a religious
flavor. There were many questionable items for sale, but one especially caught our eye:
"The Kitchen Witch!" (Reproduced here directly from the catalog.)
You might ask, "How can that many people be so wrong??" Are you suggesting that all
those people have evil motives and everyone is just in it for the money?" Of course not! I
want to say here and now that a good many of the people I have met in the industry, both
artists and retailers, have been real brothers and sisters, concerned with serving God
with all their hearts in the way they feel He has shown them. However, that still doesn't
negate the scriptural command to, "Give freely as you have received"
(Matthew 10:8). I believe the whole concept of selling for profit, things
containing the gift of God's truth and love, is dead wrong and certainly not what He
desires His children to do.
Some have argued, "What's the difference
between a Christian plumber charging for his services, and a singer or speaker charging
for theirs?" They say, 'Don't you think the apostle Paul charged for his tents?'' It must
be realized that there's a difference between a man's vocation or skill and his ministry
gift. In fact, Paul made tents for a living so that he wouldn't have
to charge for the Gospel (Acts 20:33-35). After all, tents are tents and
ministry is ministry !!