Peddling the Gospel?

Have you ever wondered how and why the organization that supports the Tomorrow's World television and publishing efforts never asks the viewing public for money? It seems that a hallmark for religious broadcasting is an emphasis on appeals for contributions. The message is often short on spiritual content and long on "send us money."

Whether it is an emotional appeal to "feed the children" or to provide clean water in some third-world country, or to help build some edifice for the spreading of the gospel as they see it, the pressure to financially support the program is incessant.

There is no doubt that the children need to be fed. There is no doubt that there are suffering people, young and old, in many places on earth. Pictures and details of their circumstances tug at one's heartstrings, and the money flows. Hopefully, some of it is used for the purpose intended by the donors. However, it often seems that it goes to support the opulent or extravagant lifestyle of the person or organization presenting the message, or in other cases to cover more administrative costs than charity needs. Over a period of decades, this pattern seems to have been repeated ad nauseam.

Certainly, these important needs should be addressed and poor people helped in any way that is possible. And yet, when it comes to the gospel, we find a different model in Scripture. Jesus Christ said, in reference to getting His message out to the world, "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). As is often the case, the words of the Messiah are ignored, as those who purport to represent Him put their version of the gospel on the air and on the Internet. Often, they may be sincere, but that does not mean they are biblically sound in their message or their approach. Jesus plainly said that "...many will come in My name, saying: 'I am He,' and will deceive many" (Mark 13:6).

The Apostle Paul hit the nail on the head when he wrote to the Church of God in Corinth; "For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:17). In the Gospel of John, as Jesus cleansed the temple of money changers and sellers of sacrificial animals, we find these words of Jesus: "Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" (John 2:16). In the book of Proverbs, that treasure trove of biblical wisdom, we find this admonition: "Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23).

Could it be any more plain? And yet, we see that religion is big business these days, with much to sell and much profit to be made, while the real message of Jesus Christ—indeed the message from Genesis to Revelation—is neglected and misunderstood.

But, there is an "oasis" of the Truth, where the good message of the Kingdom of God—the message that Jesus taught and instructed His followers to teach—flows out to all parts of the world, free of any charge. It is priceless information, literally and figuratively. The message is not widely accepted nor is it commonly believed, but there it is for all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. It can be tested and proven by the Scriptures as the words of life.

Now, it does take money to do the work of preaching and publishing the good message to all the world. Where does the funding come from? It comes from those who, without solicitation, choose to follow the instructions and principles found in Scripture and who voluntarily become financial supporters or co-workers of the work (1 Corinthians 3:9).

If you would like to know more about this unique approach to spreading the Gospel, request our booklet, Where Is God's True Church Today? You can't buy it. It is not for sale. You can have it free of any charge or you can read it online, right here at TomorrowsWorld.org.