I just ran across a website that sells sermon subscriptions. A years subscription is $60. I’ve got to tell you–I just don’t understand that. If the preacher was selling a book (which he also does) I could understand why he might charge to cover his expenses. But I don’t know how a preacher can charge for sermons posted on a wesite and still sleep at night. Maybe you’re thinking,”Well he has to pay someone to do the typing” and you might be right, but are we suppose to be reimbursed for everything we do? Are we to never make any sacrifices to get the gospel out?
I can remember as a young preacher–I would have paid people to let me preach. It never occurred to me that I ought to get in the sermon selling business. I would hate to stand before the Lord and give an account of myself knowing that I had sold my sermons. That sure wouldn’t show much heart-felt concern for making the truth known. The motivation seens to be purely for monetary gain. It should be the passion of our heart to proclaim God’s Word, how can we say our motive is pure if we charge for the message.
Preachers, however, aren’t the only ones guilty of having the wrong attitude. Far too many folks are motivated to do what they do because of the “What’s in it for me?” attitude. I’m sick and tired of people saying, “I left the church because I wasn’t getting anything out of it.” I feel like saying, “You poor thing – how much did you put into it.?” Declaring God’s Word and every form of Christian service should be viewed as a glorious privilege, not as means for personal gain and self-gratification. THINK ABOUT IT!
