Money and Salvation?

[nimblewillsgrace]

This is not a tithing questions. We've been there and done that. My question is does it take money to produce salvation? Should evangelistic programs cost money?

[Redeemed by Grace]

This is not a tithing questions. We've been there and done that. My question is does it take money to produce salvation? Should evangelistic programs cost money?

My 2 cents. Should not a man be paid for his labor? And does not a pastor deserve 'double honor', or twice the wage of the others? Not speaking of millions here, but of support, which even the Jewish Priest took a portion [wage] from the sacrifices given to God, as God has given in provision.

Now.... does it take money to be saved? No, no man can buy his salvation. But it takes provisions to feed and clothe a preacher of the word. Paul accepted monies, and he also did trade worked when he knew it be a stumbling block, he did both. But he lived to preach the Gospel, and accepted the gifts from the church as provision from God, and God called many to salvation because of and through Paul's preaching and teaching.

For His Glory,

RbG

[andrew_no_one]

Nah. Talk is cheap. Most folks let me talk to them for free.

[Dani H]

How much money did the early Church invest into evangelism when there were thousands saved in a day?

Oh that's right, they invested prayer and seeking God, not money. My bad.

[Redeemed by Grace]

Nah. Talk is cheap. Most folks let me talk to them for free.

But you know you have 'arrived' the day you get paid for speaking!

[Colight]

How much money did the early Church invest into evangelism when there were thousands saved in a day?

Oh that's right, they invested prayer and seeking God, not money. My bad.

The Phillipi congregation supported Pauls ministry with Huge gifts.

Of course if modern day evangelists would cut the Rock bands, VIP speakers, and stage shows in sports Arenas , these costs would go way down.

[John 8:32]

This is not a tithing questions. We've been there and done that. My question is does it take money to produce salvation? Should evangelistic programs cost money?

Here are two principles...

Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

There should never be any charge to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

There is a Biblical principle to support the ministry.

How do we reconcile the two...

Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness

These are two, there are more.

But these show that even in Paul's time, there was support needed for the ministry, but the truth is never to be sold, but freely given away. The truth of God does cost to disseminate, but should always be without price.

[andrew_no_one]

But you know you have 'arrived' the day you get paid for speaking!

I bet I can find someone who'd pay me to be quiet.

[John 8:32]

But you know you have 'arrived' the day you get paid for speaking!

The greatest speaker/teacher/author who ever lived was not on anyone's payroll. Using numbers as metrics for success is Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven *fill in the blank*" method of determining success. God doesn't measure things by cash...

[Dani H]

The only biblical precedent we have for monetary goods being needed is with missions, not local evangelism, and with supporting church congregations that went through hardship and needed help.

Even so, Paul still worked as a tent maker and shrank from the thought of being a burden to a local congregation and living off their hard-earned wages.

Integrity. Paul had it.

1 Cor 9
12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

15 But I have not used any of these rights.

[-SEEKING-]

How much money did the early Church invest into evangelism when there were thousands saved in a day?

Oh that's right, they invested prayer and seeking God, not money. My bad.

Wow. So simple, yet so deep. EXCELLENT point Dani.

[tango]

This is not a tithing questions. We've been there and done that. My question is does it take money to produce salvation? Should evangelistic programs cost money?

Depends on what you mean by "evangelistic programs".

If you're talking hiring a huge concert arena, flying a "top speaker" in from some other country and putting them up in 5-star luxury, state-of-the-art sound and video systems, maybe a supporting band or two, and lots of glossy flyers to encourage people to come and invite their friends, then perhaps it's not the best way of doing things.

If you're talking about things like providing food for the homeless, initiatives like the Street Pastors etc then it will inevitably have costs associated with it. Feeding people requires food, which isn't free. Street Pastors don't get paid but are trained, which takes time and therefore has a cost associated with it. It might be small but isn't zero.

I often despair when I see churches with the latest and greatest sound and video systems but no life in the preaching. It makes me wonder how they think the early church survived without the ability to stream HD video from half way around the world.

[nimblewillsgrace]

I wonder what the difference of the cost on evangelism in the US compared to evangelism in China?

[andrew_no_one]

I wonder what the difference of the cost on evangelism in the US compared to evangelism in China?

Bahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh man it's HUGE! Oddly, China has far less false converts....wonder why.