Am I being judgemental?

[newme2003]

Hi all, I have been getting very frustrated lately by the more corporate attitudes of many t.v. ministries. It seems that the last 10 minutes or so of every ministry's program (take The Word Network for example) are dedicated to selling a book, series of books, tape/cd/vhs/dvd series. Why is all of this necessary. While books can be a helpful source, shouldn't our main source of reference be the bible? And shouldn't all of our answers come from the bible. I know some may say that these additional books just help to better understand the bible but isn't this in a way dangerous? What I mean is that there are so many people out there that don't read the bible as they should - self included - and that some of these books may just be giving the writer's own personal and uninspired interpretation of scripture.

It seems that literally after every show the pastor/preacher has something to sell and at such exhorbitant pices. Can one person be so inspired by God that they can produce more books than He did? When I think of this it just makes me think that greed is somehow a motivation. Yes I know that in some cases their ministrues are reached world over and money is needed to support them but I also know that God doesn't need to sell books or tapes to accomplish that. His word has been spread like wildfire even before advanced technology hit.

God's word is/can be given freely. If It is the foundation and food of our faith why do we need to buy or even read additional material? Again, I am being judgemental? Does anybody feel where I am coming from?

 

[Wanda]

I have to agree with you. Lately I've been watching the Word channel on a regular and I've noticed that every preacher is selling something. Some even sell annointed cloths(that's what they call them), even holy water. I get frustrated by all of this also. I just want to hear the word of God, not buy any tapes on it or holy water.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

ITA w/what your saying. I believe that some t.v. ministries are just on to make a profit and some are really legit. The selling of books,cds, tapes etc.. are a means to reach and teach people about the word of God, the teachings should be bible based not of ones own personal interpretation of the bible. The only way to know the real teachings of the bible is to read it for yourself and come to your own conclusions. It can only be dangerous if one doesnt have any knowledge of the bible and only rely on these t.v. ministries as their main source. Its not really necessary for them to sell all these materials, but its a way to keep their minsitries standing afloat, if they didnt charge a fee most likely they would be off the air.

 

[newme2003]

I have to agree with you. Lately I've been watching the Word channel on a regular and I've noticed that every preacher is selling something. Some even sell annointed cloths(that's what they call them), even holy water. I get frustrated by all of this also. I just want to hear the word of God, not buy any tapes on it or holy water.

I don't understand the anointed cloths or water thing either. Does anyone have scripture on this?

Sweet_Ambrosia, personally I think that it should be the members' tithes and offerings as well as offerings sent worldwide from t.v. viewers that keep these ministries afloat and I don't think that that is impossible. All things are possible through God.

 

[tweezer6]

I agree things are getting out of hand. However, there are some TV programs that I really enjoy. And after hearing the message I may want to add the material to my library as a reference. If they are selling something that I can afford I order it. If not, I dont. Since we live in a commercialized society, we have to use wisdom before making any purchase.

Tithes and offerings definitely should support the church. Truth is though, only 20% of members tithe. Outreach, drug,hunger, and TV ministries usually require more than what the 20% of the congregation can support.

As far as prayer cloths, I think this is the scripture:
ACTS 19:11-12:
"God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, so that even when handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and any evil spirits within them came out."

I used to ask the same questions. So by no means am I advocating those who are purely seeking to make a profit off of God's people. Smaller churches sell bar-b-que plates, sermon tapes, and have a zillion afternoon services or musicals to raise money.

JMO!!!! After years of observation.

 

[Sweet C]

I agree things are getting out of hand. However, there are some TV programs that I really enjoy. And after hearing the message I may want to add the material to my library as a reference. If they are selling something that I can afford I order it. If not, I dont. Since we live in a commercialized society, we have to use wisdom before making any purchase.

Tithes and offerings definitely should support the church. Truth is though, only 20% of members tithe. Outreach, drug,hunger, and TV ministries usually require more than what the 20% of the congregation can support.

As far as prayer cloths, I think this is the scripture:
ACTS 19:11-12:
"God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, so that even when handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and any evil spirits within them came out."

I used to ask the same questions. So by no means am I advocating those who are purely seeking to make a profit off of God's people. Smaller churches sell bar-b-que plates, sermon tapes, and have a zillion afternoon services or musicals to raise money.

JMO!!!! After years of observation.

This pretty much sums it up for me. Some people are getting a bit out of hand, but some aren't, and the support they solicit from viewers help them stay on the air. Think about it, when you watch the Word, Daystar, etc. have you seen a commercial for Tide or Downy? When you have commercials in b/t your show on lets say CBS, they greatly subsidize your costs, while in Christian tv (even if its on BET or PAX) you don't have this option. I understand the concern and I don't think its being judgemental, b/c it gets quite irritating at times, and some people you can clearly tell is out solely for the money. And to those I don't give, but I have ran across some that I don't mind purchasing a product from such as a tape or book, b/c I truly enjoyed the message. You can get easily hoodwinked by a televangelist just as easily as the pastor preaching down the street on the pulpit. That is why it is important for us to study and know the Word for ourselves. Books can help bring certain things out, but it all needs to come from the ultimate book, the Bible.

 

[sithembile]

ITA! It breaks my heart to see how the Bible and Christianity have been commercialised and sensationalised by many tv ministries. Many of them are out to make a profit, and they keep re-packaging the same message to make money. I know they need money to remain on air, but some of them are really prostituting the name of our Most High God. And many of use are being deceived and led astray, we begin to see them as "stars", we read their books more than we read the Bible; forgetting that He should be the centre of our faith. And then when some of these people fall, they get disillusioned and turn away from the faith only because they had put these people in the place of God. Don't get me wrong, I selectively watch some ministries, but I always check what they say against the Word of God. I don't need to buy someone's factory made handkerchief, God can heal us through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[GodsPromises]

I agree with everything sithembile stated. I can't add anything to it. My dh has stopped watching these shows completely because it seems that it is all about money.

ITA! It breaks my heart to see how the Bible and Christianity have been commercialised and sensationalised by many tv ministries. Many of them are out to make a profit, and they keep re-packaging the same message to make money. I know they need money to remain on air, but some of them are really prostituting the name of our Most High God. And many of use are being deceived and led astray, we begin to see them as "stars", we read their books more than we read the Bible; forgetting that He should be the centre of our faith. And then when some of these people fall, they get disillusioned and turn away from the faith only because they had put these people in the place of God. Don't get me wrong, I selectively watch some ministries, but I always check what they say against the Word of God. I don't need to buy someone's factory made handkerchief, God can heal us through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.