Let's slow this down just a bit. In fact, it might be a good idea to take several steps back before rushing into the present.
The Bible declares God prepared a body for Himself and then entered human history. What a person believes about this claim - has no effect upon it. For centuries, God had worked with one particular culture, and chose to make His appearance there. "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came into His own things (Israel), and those who were His own did not receive Him" (Jn 1:10,11). Over those centuries, He had revealed many things about His person, will, and ways. Israel should have welcomed Him, but, as a whole, they did not. We are told He had "no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isa 53:2). Most likely, His enemies hated His looks and mannerisms ... maybe even the sound and cadence of His voice. They were determined to silence that voice. Eventually, they framed Him, and had Him executed.
At one point in His ministry, Jesus stated, "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher" (Lk 6:40). Human nature has not changed. If given the opportunity, many will silence a voice they do not want to hear. For any Christian, a life that does not end like the Teacher's ... well, that pupil has been spared. That's fine with me. I have no desire to end this life on a Roman cross - or any contemporary equivalent.
In spite of this, over the millennia, Christians have shared their encounters with the living God in many ways. Political and technological advances have often granted new avenues for the expression of this witness. Whether it's a government granting religious freedom, or the invention of the printing press, radio, or television ... great platforms have opened for a Christian's "voice." Let's look at a new one.
A few years ago, there was no such thing as the Internet ... or a Christian website. This medium is truly astounding. It is now possible for Christians to upload their work and influence people all over the world - without leaving the desk. And Christians who live in locations where they can exercise this "voice" have been granted inordinate favor. Such fortune is remarkable. Words cannot convey the magnitude of such an opportunity now available to an individual Christian. Personally, I am amazed God has placed such a "megaphone" at the end of fingertips attached to such faulty hands.
Surely a new medium also brings with it ... new rules. New times, new opportunities, new boundaries ... right? Well, you already know what I am going to say. All the old rules still apply. A Christian website is not "a free zone." And what are these rules? "Each man must watch how he builds on (the foundation). For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each man's work will become evident; for The Day will display it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work, which he has built upon (the foundation) survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss ...." (1Cor 3:10-15). Of course, any material about God that springs from a different foundation has absolutely no hope of prevailing before our Creator. It will be summarily dismissed.
One primary determinant between fire and reward is the accuracy of the proclaimed knowledge. "Good intentions," or one's "interpretation," or what "seems right," or "feels right," will not prevail over bad information. God is not obligated to use your error, or mine, to expand His Kingdom. What an oxymoron. Error is destined for fire. It does not matter if it springs from simple ignorance - or malicious deception. Its origin is irrelevant.
It should also be understood that the Bible's most aggressive warnings are directed at those who represent the Creator. He wants to be represented accurately - and repeatedly warns anyone taking on this endeavor. "Let not many become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment" (Ja 3:1). This is directed at brethren - who have been pardoned! So what awaits false teachers, and false prophets and others who promote contrary religious constructs? God is extremely intense about this ... far beyond my understanding. (See 2Pet 2:1-22 and Jude: 3-19 for starters.)
But along with accurate content, there is another bedrock consideration for "how" one should properly build upon the foundation. Let's talk about money. Before I became a Christian, I always knew when I stumbled upon a Christian radio or television station. Within minutes (or seconds) they would be asking for money - my money, your money, grandma's money, anybody's money, everybody's money. I instinctively knew many were charlatans, but as for the rest ... what kind of "God" needed to have His servants in my billfold? This turned me off ... and, with the flip of a switch, I turned them off. But, the Author of the Bible had other plans for me.
At one point, I decided to read the Bible. To my amazement, I found an abundance of information about money ... and religious frauds. At the time of this writing, I have been a Christian for over thirty years. God has never charged me a penny for any of His information - or acts - on my behalf. And He never will. So, if I am claiming to represent Him to others, why would I? Of course, I have heard "why" for three decades ... but most "whys" are rationalizations - not reasons. "Freely you received, freely give" (Mt 10:8). Shouldn't this option be the first one explored?
So, let's look again at a Christian website and the Bible. With a very small personal cost, one can now freely offer what God has taught him/her - all over the world. This is exciting ... and shocking. When I think of Christians past (and present), who have never been given such a "voice" ... it is clear this has nothing to do with fairness. But, even more shocking, did God give Himself such a megaphone when He was here? The reality of such a platform ... for a pupil?
Are you the webmaster of a Christian website? Purpose to make it solid in content - a treasure chest - with no money barrier in front of His treasure. Whether we like it or not, every detail of our work will be scrutinized for content ... and procedure. Why "toil for fire" (Hab 2:13)? May God have mercy upon us all.
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Robin became a Christian in 1977. Educationally: B.A., Bus. Admin. (Milligan College '90) and Master of Divinity (Emmanuel School of Relign '92). Major writings include, "No Tithe for the Christian," "Love and the Bible," "Death and the Bible," "Abortion:..." and "Capital Punishment and the Bible" Free Christian Ebook (s) and The Stick Figure Gospel Presentation at freelygive-n.com!
» left by April Lorier(0) April Lorier (1 year 97 days ago.)
Robin, do you also believe Pastors should not receive a salary? The Word says a "workman is worthy of his hire", and I can tell you from personal experience, many pastors are paid less than grass-cutters. My father dropped dead at 46 in 1968, and because he lived in "the parsonage" -- a sad excuse for a house -- his top salary was $400 per month. Now even in 1968 that was below the poverty line!
I agree there's way too much "please send us a donation and we'll send you this gift" on tv, but I'm very grateful for SOME of the Christian Ministries on TV, and I understand air time costs big money. So there are some I do support.
I'd be interested in your response. Respond to this comment
» left by Robin Calamaio(138) Robin Calamaio (1 year 96 days ago.)
Hi April.
Thanks for your note and question. Actually, you have swerved into several subjects here! I have pastored two churches along with several other residential Christian ministry experiences. I understand about the housing situation - and cash on hand. And I have two daughters. One way I look at this is that I see every Christian as under the same primary financial injunction. God’s primary will is that each Christian provide for his own, particularly those of his own household (1Tim5:8). Second, it is not God’s will that His children be in debt (Ro13:8). Now, if I am serving a group of people as pastor, my first job is to see to it that each one of them are doing that. My financial needs on their list of responsibilities - is way down the list. And I have found other work to supplement my pastoral income in order to meet my financial responsibilities before God. Here is one other thing. Paul decided not to take a penny from the rich Corinthians. He determined they were not spiritually mature enough to understand what it means to financially support a pastor. If I could do it over, I would have done the same thing with the second church I pastored. They “hired” me - so as to relieve themselves of duty.
As far as the TV ministries are concerned, God owns everything in the entire Universe and beyond. I know He can raise up private investors to bankroll even the most expensive adventure. We are representing the One who truly does own it all. He bankrolls what He wants done that is truly a representation of Him. I can not put into words how it grieves my spirit that His work ever be presented as “in need” - especially if there are unbelievers in the audience, or younger brothers and sisters who are financially straped, etc. I go into a lot of detail about all this in my free ebook, “No Tithe for the Christian.” I am sure we could talk about this extensively as I am just scratching the surface here. Money is a very important Biblical subject.
Lastly, the parsonage deal was often more of a curse than blessing. Free rent, utilities etc all sounded good and seemed a benefit - but it institutionalized many, and when the work ended - so did the housing. In the Seminaries I attended, it was instructive to hear from “old times” about this. I think that practice is dying out. Oh well, I don’t know if Searchwarp will allow such a long response. Lord Bless you, April.
Robin Calamaio Respond to this comment
» left by Joel Hendon(10,717) Joel Hendon (1 year 76 days ago.)
Robin, As usual I enjoyed your article very much. I take the internet to possibly be God's last effort to get His children to: "... Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Matthew 16:15. He has given us affluence which we refuse to contribute adequately to get the job done. He gave us radio and television which helped but was not adequate without considerable investment which we, His children, were unwilling to share, and now he has given us all an opportunity to invest very little and then sit on our broadening derrieres and fulfill this command. And I believe we will be held accountable for failure to do so. I see some who make the investment for a very nice appearing website and then devote all it's content to their own congregation. What a terrible waste. They see them weekly and can tell them anything of importance. It is those outside of Christ worldwide who need the exposure to the gospel. I have built several websites for churches, some at no cost to them, but I do not build those who aren't interested in spreading the Word. As far as asking for money as reimbursement for media programs, I do not feel it is proper, especially when many of them are for that purpose only. Christians are expected to contribute according to how they have been prospered, freely and cheerfully to the work of His kingdom. The world is not expected to. Respond to this comment
» left by Robin Calamaio(138) Robin Calamaio (1 year 76 days ago.)
Hello Joel
First of all, congratulations on your articles! To be a bronze author - and all the response you are getting is truly fantastic. I have an 11 year old daughter, and the other day she asked me about the star icon beside my author name. I showed her how her old dad (me) had just recently broke 100 for the first time and was still a red author - and then I showed her you and told her how you had once asked me how to get that little email icon up and running(or whatever it was you asked me about). We then just laughed!
Anyway, I am a bit more lenient with churches and their sites I guess - but one thing is for sure - this money deal in the church is ridiculous. I have an ebook "No Tithe for the Christian" on my website that is getting a lot of takers. I also hope to disseminate a 20 question "Tithe Test" through submityourarticle.com soon. Also I have a "Stick Figure Gospel Presentation" on my Site that is getting hits from all over the globe. This medium is astounding. And I am doing all this for under 1K a year! I am hoping God is going to raise up Christians who will invest their prayers in what God is doing with the materials I have turned over to Him. Lord Bless you Joel. If we never meet on this side - I will look forward to that time on the other side of the Jordan.
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