Andrea, ponder for a minute. Jesus was a poor man and had no place of his own to lay his head. He who owned the universe chose to live a common life. What does that say about his gospel? To me, it makes me value Him even more and gives more power to His truth.
It is not that Jesus wants us poor. He wants us to share so that he who has little has no lack, and he who has much has nothing left over. What a concept.
As to ministries needing money to operate, why is this? Are we not told to ask and receive that our joy may be full? (Ask God not ask man) Are we not instructed to tell no man that we need anything, but to tell God our needs in secret. Then He will reward us openly.
I do not know if you are aware of a man called George Meuller. He was led to open an orphanage and never ask for funds...ever. If asked what he needed, he was to say that God is bountifully supplying. He relied totally on faith that God meant what he said and could be trusted. Near the end of his life, he was caring for 800 children. One morning, there was no food for breakfast and he excitedly awoke the children, telling them they were about to witness a miracle. Soon a wagon pulled up loaded ith bread. A wmen said she was prayng and god told her to bring it. Immediately thereafter, a milk wagon broke a wheel outside the orphanage. The dairyman told Mr. Meuller that his milk would spoil so he gave it to the children. O Lord, I want that type of faith! That is how faith is to work. How very far we are from such a walk. I pray my own life begins to mimic such an utter complete trust. God is our provider, not those who are battered with pleas and a "free copy" of the minister's latest teaching for giving. I pray we are turned back in these last days to the purity of the gospel.
I hope all is well with you.
Blessings,
Gideon
Hi Gid, I suppose the question then becomes "does Jesus use the media to spread His gospel" bc if He does , then it does take a lot of money. That orphanage you spoke of still needs and gets the money it requires to run.
It would be nice if everyday were the loaves and fishes day... and I have heard testimony that occurs even today.
But I think the Lord uses satellites, computers or whatever else is available to spread the word. Prophesying that the whole world would see the two witnesses die and come to life in the end times and many other things that were unknown at the time... we know the Lord knew what was available to Him.
The Lord showed me years ago that He used what was at hand and sometimes it would be people trying to make a profit from the gospel. What was that to me? So I have no doubt the Lord uses these people. I still have reservations about them.
I don't buy lottery tickets but I have a little game I play once in awhile (its more fun if you buy a ticket) its what would I do with all that money.... I still end up quite rich, even though I imagine I'd give at least 50% or more away.
Until we are in their shoes, I suppose it isn't fair to judge them. There is little good that comes from that activity... and maybe more harm.
Unless we are in a position to change circumstances there is little value in judging harshly those that are actually spreading the gospel.
I could not like '40 million dollar Joe' but he will still have spread the gospel much further than I ever will. How much is one soul worth?? One eternity?? One who goes on to spread the gospel to their family, friends and maybe become a Billy Graham... we don't know the end from the beginning and God does. I'm glad I'm not in charge...
God bless, may the Lord richly bless you and yours, andrea