What's the Difference?

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
(1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV)

One of my biggest pet peeves is how many Christian ministries ignore the scriptures like my opening verse above. We mimic the world's ways in how we practice our faith before the world.

We sell our knowledge of God with the best product sales pitch. We entice people to get the "full" version of our sermons and teachings by baiting them with the best clips or segments so that we can get a bigger sale off of our teaching line of products.

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV)

And we wonder why God seems so distant?

Don't be that ignorant and blind!

Let's wake up church! It's time to stop doing business, and to start living for Him instead of ourselves!

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.'" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV)

Yes, I am rash, but what I've experienced from the examples of today's Christian leaders is that they are indoctrinated into a worldly system fueled by greed and personal satisfaction. The way most American churches are run are far from any Biblical and Godly model. And most born-again Christians see this and are leaving the church in droves because of it.

The other reason that I can't help it, is because it seems to be poor leadership that draws out the greatest wrath of our LORD and Savior. If anyone examines the reactions of our LORD through the bible, both old and new testaments, you will notice that God's strongest rebukes are aimed at the priestly leadership.

I don't want to end this sounding unfair, so I will tell you that I have found a few who do preach the word and wisdom of God with sincerity and do offer what wisdom they have at cost if not for free.

I believe in supporting the ministries of such men and women. I'd rather see ministers of the Gospel work with their own hands to raise the funds for their ministry over those who solicit through manipulative appeals to our spiritual conscience or emotions, in order that their multi-million dollar multimedia evangelical juggernaut ministries can pay the bills to stay on the air. Evangelism is the call of every Christian, not a select few "stars."

I had to revamp my viewpoint on this topic a few times, because there are legitimate reasons for a minister to be paid or seek financial support. In light of all this, it's important for such a minister to always guard their motives by examining themselves in light of good solid biblical examples. Men like the Apostle Paul who strived to serve others with a pure heart and not dilute the message of the Gospel with questionable actions on his part.

If you think that's too much, then maybe you it would serve you well to read about the life of Jesus again and pay closer attention to his ministry; how he never charged admission or sought supporters, even though some did support him financially, yet they were never solicited to do so.

-Selah

Michael