Conversations about Selling Jesus
Learn more about foundational issues around the Jesus-trade through a series of conversations between Tim and his pastor.
Ministry should be supported, not sold.
We’re a group of pastors and disciples of Jesus, who love him and want everyone to have free access to truth about him. The commercialization of ministry deeply concerns us, practically and theologically. We hope you’ll take a moment to carefully consider God’s Word on this matter.
Conversations
Conversations between Paul and the Corinthians
Follow the flow of Paul's teaching on finance to the Corinthians across his letters to them.
Christians Who Sell Jesus
Joe the Author 
Steve the Biblical Counselor 
James the Worship Composer 
Susan the Bible Study Author 
10 more ... Articles
Freely Giving
The Command to Freely Give
Jesus gives us a clear command regarding money and ministry, but do we still follow it today?
Does Jesus’ Command to “Freely Give” Apply Today?
In biblical interpretation, context is key, and so does the context really indicate that this command applies to Christians today?
The Scope of Jesus’ Command to Freely Give
Interpreting it too broadly or too narrowly misunderstands Jesus' expectation for ministry.
Supporting Ministry
What Is Christian Ministry?
While Christians should glorify God in all aspects of life, not all work can be classified as ministry.
The Biblical Model for Funding Ministry
How biblical funding differs from the commercial practices many use today.
Giving out of Obligation to God, Not Man
There is a big difference between giving as colabor and giving as reciprocity, and that difference is God.
Selling Ministry
Ten Times Commercializing Ministry Is Condemned
Many have tried to profit from ministry, even back in biblical times.
Why Moral Failing Invariably Accompanies the Sale of Biblical Instruction
The sale of biblical instruction necessarily entails an ulterior motive of gain. As such, it constitutes a compromise of sincerity that will invariably ma...
The Sin of Buying Jesus
It is not only ministers who are culpable for the commercialization of Christianity, buyers who willingly support the sale of ministry also fall into sin.
Adaptation & Inspiration
As much as they reflect the truth of Scripture itself, adaptations of Scripture have the power and authority of Scripture.
The Sin of Judas and the Sale of Christian Teaching
Is selling Christian teaching really the same as betraying Jesus for money?
The Sin of Balaam
The New Testament authors identify Balaam as a prototypical false teacher, worthy of special consideration. To understand false teaching, we ought to understand Balaam.
The Wages of a Prostitute
Why Donating Ministry Income Doesn’t Justify the Sale of Christian Teaching
Specific Passages
Micah 3:11 — Selling Truth
Micah had a message for Israel's leaders, and he has one for us as well.
2 Corinthians 2:17 — Commercializing the Word of God
Is it ok to sell God's Word if you have good motives? That seems to be what some Bible translations imply, but it couldn't be further from the truth.
1 Corinthians 9 — Affirming Payment or Condemning It?
1 Corinthians 9 is a difficult passage to grasp. So difficult that many have missed its point entirely.
1 Corinthians 9 — The Meaning of “Right” / “Authority”
Why Paul's “right” to material support is much more limited than many people think.
John 2/Mark 11 — Cleansing the Temple of Commerce
Jesus was offended by exactly that which he drove out: the commerce.
History
The Sale of Religious Instruction Considered Simony
Simony is the practice of selling spiritual things, which thrived throughout the Middle Ages, and still exists today in a new form.
The Rise of the Bible Societies
The story of how Bible societies transformed from charitable missions into commercial enterprises.
Application
Should Preachers be Paid?
Jesus was clear that the preached word should be freely given, so is it right for preachers of God's Word to be paid? Yes. As this article explains.
Objections to Paying Pastors
Some people have been so put off by the commercialization of ministry that it has led them to question whether pastors should be paid at all.
Covering Costs — Can You Charge for Printed Books?
Some Christian resources are expensive to produce and distribute, and this can make it challenging to give them for free if there is limited funding available.
Biblical Counseling Should Be Free
Biblical counseling is ministry and so should flourish through generous funding, not by charging those seeking healing in Christ.
Charging Fees for Biblical Counseling?
Should a ministry relationship, either in its initiation or continuation, ever be conditioned on the payment of a fee? Should the fulfillment of a biblical responsibility to care for God's people ever be conditioned on the p...
Should Christian Ministry Be Supported by Ads?
Some things in life require honor and respect, and shouldn't be turned into advertising opportunities.
Christian Conferences Should Be Free
God has forbidden finance-based partiality, and this is precisely what is done when tickets to Christian conferences are sold.
The Folly of Pragmatism in Ministry Fundraising
Practical concerns cannot be determinative when in conflict with a biblical principle.
Copyright & Licensing
Copyright & Jesus’ Command to Freely Give
If a minister is to give freely, has he really done so if he retains exclusive rights to the content of his proclamation?
The Bondage of the Word: Copyright and the Bible
For nearly a century, copyright legislation has been subtly but effectively applied, misused and abused in regard to the word of God in order to chain the Bible to a new pulpit, differing in kind but not ...
Does Copyright Actually Protect the Text of Scripture from Corruption?
Is it truly dangerous to let God’s Word out into the open, unchained? Or is the greater danger in thinking we can keep it safe?
A Biblical Approach to Abuse of Resources
While it is understandable to have concerns about the potential misuse of Christian resources, the biblical approach calls us to prioritize the free and generous sharing of these resources over any legal protections co...
Letting Go — Releasing Biblical Content
This paper addresses many of the concerns that are raised by those desiring to openly license resources and describes a strategy that equips the global Church for freedom. Although it doesn’t advocate for dedicating all mi...
On the Specter of Copyright Hijacking
Can someone republish public domain works and claim them as their own? No, here's why.
The Problem with Creative Commons ShareAlike
It is only through waiving every claim to works of ministry that the gospel may be freely given as it was freely received.
Contemporary Commerce
Bible Publishers — Stewards or Gatekeepers?
The church has gradually handed God's Word over to businesses that claim it as their own.
The Worship Tax
How church worship is exploited by the Christian music industry for commercial gain, despite religious exemptions for churches.
ACBC Counseling Fees
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, contrary to Scripture's teaching, leaves the door open for individual counselors to decide whether or not they will charge, and how much. In doing so unintentionally undermine their foundational premise that th...
Who Owns the Manuscripts and Critical Texts?
While it is appropriate to treat physical manuscripts as property, Scripture itself should not be subject to ownership.
The KJV Is Still Restricted by Copyright
From its inception, the KJV has been tightly managed under the Crown's perpetual copyright in the United Kingdom.
Blood Money and Its Connection to Ministry
If blood donation can be supported, instead of sold, why can’t we do the same with Christian ministry?
Further Study
Common Objections
Have your concerns answered.
Books and Other Resources
Dive deeper into the historical, practical, exegetical, and theological matters related to the commercialization of Christianity.