Greed in the Church

[desertcry]

Here's an article I wrote that I believe many Christians should read.

Charging Money for the Gospel, the Abomination of today

As I look around I see much corruption in the Christian world. Instead of freely giving they are now charging money for everything. Ever been to a Christian concert whether it is a rock band, country band, or worst of all, a praise and worship team and be charged money at the door even though they are local and don't have to pay for travel expenses. I have seen flyers up several times of some Christian event where an entrance fee is being charged. Then on top of the charge a love offering will be taken up. What is this relaying to the public? Are Christians just as greedy as the public is? It sure seems that way. Whatever happened to what Paul said about putting others needs before ours? Today the Christian organizations make sure they get what they need before putting the needs of others. Charging at a Christian event is putting the need of the one charging above needs such as salvation to the lost, fellowship with the believer, and so on. The poor get totally left out, yet the Bible says that Jesus came to teach to the poor. How does God look upon the charges placed at these events? I

[ted]

Welcome to Worthy, desertcy.

You raise some valid points here. The love of money is the root of all evil, as the Bible states.

I see no reason other than trying to make a buck under the Christian banner for some of this stuff. It takes a well disciplined soul to keep the balance between using tithes and offerings for the needs of a church and wasting money or being greedy about it.

I fear that many of the "ministries" out there today have fallen prey to the dollar symbol.

Pray for those that need help in this matter.

Blessings,

t.

[Guest yod]

Charging at a Christian event is putting the need of the one charging above needs such as salvation to the lost, fellowship with the believer, and so on.

I also lament the commercialization of "christianity" but let's not confuse that with the gospel, shall we?

An "event" is not the gospel. These things cost money to produce and no one is being forced to go. It's an entirely separate issue.

But if you want to talk about greed let's start at the grassroots..... Does a christian have any special God-given rights to the gospel? Aren't they already saved?

If someone is selling a tape are they entitled to getting it for free? My point is that the greed is on the consumer level as much as it is on the merchandizer level. Very few people have any conviction about illegally copying a "christian" (or otherwise) music CD and/or video tape.

This is not something that can be laid at the feet of churches or leadership because it is ALL of the saints. Across the board.

There doesn't seem to be any recognition that (collectively) we are a long way from being holy and spotless....which prevents a desire for repentance.

[darkest_red]

People charging entrance fees could be something to do with the costs of the venue.

As for the tapes....I've never seen that in England.

[Leonard]

equipment must be PURCHASED to copy those tapes. Maintenance and eventually replacement must be done on that equipment. Somebody spends TIME copying those tapes...$5.00 sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

Phonies often pretend righteous indignation when they are just plain greedy about THEIR OWN POCKETBOOK!

Food for thought and introspection....

[angels4u]

I don't know there is a fine line, sometimes its fine by having to pay and other times it sounds like a money making thing, I would say if the concert or anything is in the church, maybe the church should pay for the cost and ask the people to give an offering what they can affort to give?

Some concerts here (gospel) are very expensive and if you want to go with the whole family it would cost too much.

Angels

[ted]

Let's examine the cost of a fairly large concert and I'll show you what I meant.

The band may have all the good intention in the world for wanting to spread the Gospel with their music. In this notional concert, we'll assume that's true. Where it gets sticky is with promoters, venue owners, local business (to a point), hotels, caterers, managers, and the sellers of junk like t-shirts and hats and stuff. All of these types come out of the woodwork when the latest new band or act hits the scene. All of these leeches attach themselves to the tour and never let go, until the act gets old and no longer profitable. They have no care whether the band is Christian, heavy metal, or gangsta rap. It doesn't matter, as long as they bring in the cash. Until a band is established enough to do more by themselves, they really don't make that much money. What they do get is usually anticipatory money or advances. If the tour flops, they still owe that money back. The bad part is, if it does flop, the band is left out in the cold and the leeches have already attached themselves to the NEWER latest thing. The band, of course, is wrapped up in a ten year lawsuit and can't record again without doing so under the old contracts.

By then the pressure has gotten too bad for three of the original members and one gets hooked on drugs, another gets married and works on a farm in western PA, and the third opens an insurance business in Baltimore.

The friends you used to have are gone and no one even remembers that you were once the hottest band in Christianity.

Any one want to be a star?

t.

[Guest yod]

In this notional concert, we'll assume that's true. Where it gets sticky is with promoters, venue owners, local business (to a point), hotels, caterers, managers, and the sellers of junk like t-shirts and hats and stuff.

you are either talking about Third Day or Amy Grant. There aren't many christian acts who have any impact on hotels.

The bands themselves usually own their own merchandising (t-shirts, CDs, cheap trinkets) and this is where they make enough gas money to get to the next gig.

A promoter will buy their contract for an area and then it's up to the promoter to make a profit from that point. My guess is that most promoters of christian music see it as a ministry because they certainly aren't getting much of a return.

98% of christian bands are traveling from coffeehouse to christian club to church to youth group and playing for either an offering or a small guarantee. A band like my friends in "Salvador" made absolutely nothing for their first year (after expenses) but they started making up to 5k per concert in the second year.....which had to be split between 7 band members, 2 sound/light crew, a manager, and a booking agent.

They hit the big time and were making what your average high school teacher makes but they have to travel constantly to do it.

I've got a lot of friends in Texas who signed to major record deals only to be swallowed up by the industry & business before they even got started. Anyone want to hear some sad stories?

[desertcry]

Hi all. When I was talking about them selling tapes for $5 I met teaching tapes, not music tapes. Teaching tapes can be cheaply made. I don't believe we should be charging high prices for preaching the Gospel. I see nothing wrong with sending around an offering plate or asking for donations as long as it is kept among Christians and we aren't asking money from the world. I understand that some bands have to pay for travel costs but I have played in a band locally and we didn't need to charge anything. I also write a magazine and don't need to charge for it. Instead of some of these people charging a high price for the Gospel they should trust in the Lord to supply their needs. I just think much of the Christian world has gotten too much into commercialism. Watch TBN and you will see them constantly bugging for money and selling items at a high price, yet, must of them are extremely rich. They by expensive estates and take first class flights around the world, yet constantly hound for money. I think greed needs to be hit head on in the church whether it is the teachers or the consumers. If we are going to get someones product and if they are giving it away for free we should offer something for it if we can. I hope I'm explaining myself well. Gotta run.

Nate

Desert Cry Author

[gypc]

This is a sad trend that has swept through the church. The gospel of wealth is a false gospel. Instead of freedom, it puts burdens on the backs of God's people.

Even though we are covered by the Blood of Jesus, these teachers teach that most of God's children are under a curse of poverty. They teach that if you give$100.00 you should expect $10,000.00 in return. Then if you don't get that, you need to buy their books to get free from curses so you can allow the gain to begin.

1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

It's so sad that much of what people see and hear as gospel over the tv has become just another infomercial.

Here's a good link to checkout some of this stuff..

Buying miracles

In his love,

Brian