For years I have been an avid listener of Renewing Your Mind, radio Bible teachings by Dr. R.C. Sproul. I have enjoyed his teachings as he simply sticks to the Scriptures. As strange as it sounds, I like his simple "classroom" presentations, with the sounds of the chalk-board in the background; it makes you feel like you are back in Theology 101, having the puzzle pieces of Biblical doctrine come together in your brain. Listeners can access a 30-day archive of his radio addresses, for free, on his website: www.ligonier.org. I would say that Dr. Sproul, Sr. is probably one of the most anointed scholars of our day and is worth double honor as a teacher; I highly recommend that those whom are new in Christ either tune in on the radio or listen on the web.

Yesterday, Tuesday 7/25/2006, I was listening to Renewing your Mind, the program entitled Questions and Answers, Part One, from the "To Whom Much Is Given" series. Dr. Sproul and his son were discussing at length Biblical economics in a compare and contrast fashion against today's American economic environment. A little more than halfway through the session, Dr. Sproul brought up that his ministry, Ligonier Ministries, tries "to keep the prices of our books and tapes as low as we possibly can."

He went on:

"You know, a lot of people ask us 'why don't you give away your books and tapes for free?' Well, it's because we can't afford to do that. They almost have an expectation for us to give it out for free. Don't you realize that somebody has to pay for this stuff? You want someone else to pay for the goods and services so you can enjoy them for nothing. That's not a very Christian attitude."

Now, Dr. Sproul, I would disagree with the premise of your statement, that Christians should not expect Christian Ministries to give away their materials, etc. for free. Now I do not advocate for folks that just want a hand-out. But, I say strongly that we must make a distinction when it comes to Christian ministry, that it is not a business. The role of a Christian minister is service; we should not expect to receive anything in return for our services, knowing we are storing up treasures in the Kingdom, lest we rob ourselves of these eternal rewards.

Throughout the entire new Testament, in the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, etc. and their administration, they did not sell their sermons or services to the Body of Christ; they did collect and distribute charities, donations given of free will according to one's own conscience before the Lord, but early church ministers did not package their services and sell it for a price.

Perhaps, with the advances in technology we have created the ability to duplicate our services, but that still does not give us the right as members of the Body of Christ, to sell that which has been freely given to us through God's Word and the inspiration of His Spirit. The Scriptures say that as we have been given, we must freely give (Matthew 10:8); further on Jesus instructs his disciples to go out, taking no money or extra tunics, or bags, because the workman is worthy of his meat; those whom minister the Gospel can make a living by teaching the Gospel, but the main point was that those whom teach and preach the Gospel must live by Faith.

So, the crux of the issue remains to be Faith. Do we not have enough faith in Christ that if God has called us to do ministry, He will make provisions for such ministry without us procuring it through worldly business transactions? Is God not able to bring someone to you to give large donations? Does God not own cattle on a thousand hills and is able to pay for our ministries a thousand fold, if it is His will? Why do we not show one grain of faith today by making every bit of ministry that we do FREE, with discernment, to those whom would benefit from it, thus showing the world that we as believers don't have to rely on their system of doing business to stay afloat... that we actually believe, and demonstrate, that God will provide. Often faith-driven provisions are given by anonymous donors, whom get great blessing from knowing that 100% of their donation will be one of the pillars that hold up this God-ordained ministry.

Now, is this exclusive to Ligonier Ministries? Absolutely not, it has become a modern-day phenomena in para-church & church ministries, teaching ministries, etc. whom have decided that it is somehow inspired by God to sell their services and goods, instead of trusting God for provisions.

I have not written this piece as some publicity stunt, as we have no financial gain from this website; we work for a living and then do ministry, as not be charged with making gain of the sheep. I have placed this here because I feel a deep concern for the direction that modern Christian ministries seem to be heading... in following the winds of the world, having set their sails away from Faith.

- Steven Styles