For years I attended or participated in the organization of such programs without ever finding anything wrong with them, until one day… I was watching the TV and saw the advertisement for a Conference that was about to take place in South Africa under the label of a big American Christian ministry. The advert was praising the country, the hotels, the luxurious environment in which the program was going to take place etc. It was supposed to last 4 days but, those who wanted to have the privilege to personally meet the ‘‘Man of God’’, were encouraged to stay on for a few more days in the hotel and enjoy unique moments of impartation! Then, something suddenly happened inside of me and scales fell off my eyes. I said to myself: “No! This is NOT biblical. It doesn't have much to do with the Spirit of Christ.”
The gratuity of the Gospel
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without payment you have received; without payment you are to give.” (Matt. 10:8, ISV)
“What, then, is my reward? It's to be able to preach the gospel free of charge, and so never resort to using my rights in the gospel.” (1Corinthians 9:18, ISV)
“Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by proclaiming to you the gospel of God free of charge, so that you could be exalted?” (2Corinthians 11:7, ISV)
What is the most common reason sighted when such programs are organized? The salvation of souls. Our love for those who perish is so gripping that we go to places that are less 'strange' to them, since they can't or don't want to come to our churches. It therefore appears that we organize these seminars out of love, in order to make the Gospel available to a fringe of the population who would not listen to it otherwise. If this is true, if that is really our purpose, then why ask them to pay? Beyond the incongruity that represents selling Jesus to someone who is not keen on Him at all, it is same as though I cook this local dish very well and want my neighbours or colleagues to discover it. But instead of inviting them to relish it for free, after preparing it, I ask them to pay the right to be seated at my table. What love!
For centuries, Missionary Organizations that really cared about the salvation of "Pagans", sent to them, men and women who were sponsored by their Mother-Church. These servants of God did not go to those that they had come to save saying: "I have your miracle and your salvation in my pocket, but pay first!"
Out of love, people invested their money in the edition and printing of leaflets and bibles (Gideon) that were freely given out worldwide afterwards. Some of us even met the Lord through this. That is what I call evangelizing. When hungry crowds came to listen to Jesus, He would say to His disciples : You yourselves give them something to eat. He never asked the crowds to bring their entry fee along: His team was supposed to take care of all the material and logistic needs. The people only had one thing to do: sit at the Master’s feet and receive the Words of Eternal Life.
We are now so far away from the values of the Gospel and we wonder why people have become so resistant and so hostile to our invitations. Our motives seem (and often are) so mercantile that for the same price, they would rather pay to listen to motivational speakers.
To be continued…
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