Is god's words for sale

But you still are. your very next sentence continues the accusation:

1.) Charles Stanley's sermons are not the word of God. They are sermons which are, hopefully, based upon and congruent with the word of God (scripture).
2.) You have a very convenient means of getting his sermons without cost to you, other than the costs for your Internet access (or do you think that his ministry should pay for your Internet access or hand deliver the files to your home?). You are under no obligation from Stanley's ministry to pay for anything. However, you are under obligation from God to support the work of at least a local expression of the church.
3.) Did you know that many pastors/preachers are paid for their preparation and presentation of God's word. Does that mean they are selling it? If you think so, you disagree with Paul's clear teaching on the subject. Stanley would not be biblically wrong to charge you for the downloads of his sermons. The fact that he spends money to make them available to you demonstrates his ministry is not in it for the money.
4.) By the way, do you expect Christian bookstores to give away every Bible they carry in stock? Is it okay for them to charge for a copy of any version of scripture?

No, you don't get to pronounce the last word on the issue. Especially when it is a word of condemnation against a ministry that has been generous toward you.

 

Wow. Your own words condemn you!

Why don't you contribute to Stanley's ministry (sacrifice) and then take nothing from it, including "free" downloads. You will be sacrificing without expecting anything in return.

Then, stop complaining.

What you're doing now is expecting something for nothing, then complaining that the one who is providing things to you without cost is providing others with the opportunity to support the ministry which serves you by providing the same material in a more expensive format.

You are coming across as very self-righteous and ungrateful. I hope I am mistaken.

And just so you know, I'm not really a fan of Charles Stanley or InTouch Ministries for a number of reasons, but your accusations are so far off the mark that I feel compelled to respond.

 

Let me know when you start working your job without pay.

 

The point is that people in full time ministry need to put food in their children's mouth just as you and I not in full time ministry do.

 

Matt has it exactly right.

1 Timothy 5:17-18
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

 

I'm talking about selling DVD's and if you working to spread the Word making dvd'S, BOOKS, LITERATURES and after sellt it, that is Business and it edifies not the WORD, but the pocket..........

Then don't listen to that ministry anymore. Start your own church. Preach for free. Minister for free. Hand out Bibles, tapes, cd's, books, and dvd's for free. We'll see how long you last. And, if you do, there is someone, somewhere, footing the bill. Personally, you sound sound like a sour puss who feels guilty because you are being disobedient and don't want to give to support legitimate ministries. You are sounding like a moocher who is more than willing to receive but unwilling to give.

 

Do you personally support ministries with your finances to allow them to distribute these resources for free?

 

Okay, lets clarify. Do you think it is wrong to sell Bibles?

If so you have options. There are ministries that will provide free Bibles.

 

Because you are implying that by "selling" God's word we are somehow controlling who recieves it.

You are also putting sermons and teaching materials on the same level as the Bible.

And your tone implies that everyone is entitled to use whatever materials they chose whenever they chose to use them just because they have the urge. But you have no Biblical basis for which to argue that the spreading of the gospel shouldn't have a business aspect. The church has always done business from the very early days where all held everything in common, to later days when only the church had the financial ability to afford even one copy of scripture for the community, to now, when those who work have the ability to walk into any Walmart and buy a Bible for $6-8 or even get a FREE e copy from Amazon(but you have to pay for the internet connection!)!

You don't work, you don't eat. If you don't help pay, then you and your free Bible will do just fine. The Holy Ghost can teach you if you'll just open the book and start reading with a prayerful heart open to His leading.

 

Do you really want a pastor who preaches by majority vote?

Do you realise that the word of God itself deals with giving?

 

What exactly is the "Word of God"? Is it the Bible, or is it the words of a pastor?

If we identify what a pastor preaches as the "Word of God," then Benny Hinn and the Word of Faith people, and more, are preaching the "Word of God."