I was asked by a friend to peruse the teaching of Beth Moore. I hadn't really heard of this person but I was intrigued enough that I decided to check out Beth's website. This post is about that. In all honesty I don't know anything concerning the value of her teaching or what she believes, but I was immediately taken aback by the prices she charges for absolutely everything. Even to download on her site! You even have to "buy" tickets to "hear" her speak at her "speaking" engagements ... hhmmm
She charges for everything! WOW! This right away is hard for me to get past. This has made me rant a little. What is it that they feel gives them the right to "charge" for the Truth that they have supposedly received freely? Are they some sort of elite type of a Christian vs. an average saint?
Better yet, are they better than Christ Jesus? For if anyone deserved to charge for anything, wouldn't it have been Jesus Christ alone?? Yet Paul and Jesus shared freely with all. Paul worked as a tent maker so that he would not be the slightest burden to any, .. and also probably even more importantly, so that he would have the means necessary to be able to give to the poor. (His love and desire to serve the poor was always foremost.)
They who charge in this manner for their "bread" do the exact opposite of what Paul said he wouldn't do - eat another man's bread. Even though Paul was travelling and preaching full time, (physically demanding) he made sure he did not eat another man's bread. How exhausted he must have been, but at the same time, what joy he must've had, in knowing that he was being poured out in a very real and glorious way. At the expense of no other. All without asking anything of anyone, .. because He wanted to set an example for others to follow. An example of integrity and sacrifice. He said, "Withdraw from others who demanded to "eat your bread" ". What Paul had to offer and desires for us to offer others, should be freely and generously given. This was the whole point.
Paul had a constant love and care for the poor, and it seemed his one commandment written in the new testament was to "remember the poor". (Gal 2:9,10) This was his priority. Paul would never have suffered and went through all that he did (His life was spent) to share truth with others that required payment of any kind, that only certain people could afford. What he shared was sacrificial, and was directed to the poor. He spent His life in giving and being poured out to others. It simply was not something that was only available to those who had the financial means to pay for it or to pay to come hear him speak at the local temple. How utterly crazy to even think of such a thing, but this is the level on which alot of these ministries operate.
Better yet, are they better than Christ Jesus? For if anyone deserved to charge for anything, wouldn't it have been Jesus Christ alone?? Yet Paul and Jesus shared freely with all. Paul worked as a tent maker so that he would not be the slightest burden to any, .. and also probably even more importantly, so that he would have the means necessary to be able to give to the poor. (His love and desire to serve the poor was always foremost.)
They who charge in this manner for their "bread" do the exact opposite of what Paul said he wouldn't do - eat another man's bread. Even though Paul was travelling and preaching full time, (physically demanding) he made sure he did not eat another man's bread. How exhausted he must have been, but at the same time, what joy he must've had, in knowing that he was being poured out in a very real and glorious way. At the expense of no other. All without asking anything of anyone, .. because He wanted to set an example for others to follow. An example of integrity and sacrifice. He said, "Withdraw from others who demanded to "eat your bread" ". What Paul had to offer and desires for us to offer others, should be freely and generously given. This was the whole point.
Paul had a constant love and care for the poor, and it seemed his one commandment written in the new testament was to "remember the poor". (Gal 2:9,10) This was his priority. Paul would never have suffered and went through all that he did (His life was spent) to share truth with others that required payment of any kind, that only certain people could afford. What he shared was sacrificial, and was directed to the poor. He spent His life in giving and being poured out to others. It simply was not something that was only available to those who had the financial means to pay for it or to pay to come hear him speak at the local temple. How utterly crazy to even think of such a thing, but this is the level on which alot of these ministries operate.
No comments:
Post a Comment