Peddlers of the word Week 37, 2015

Who is a peddler? It is another name for a hawker going about with goods whose real interest is to make money; to get profit. A salesman. You know as such chat with you they size you up and determine just how much money they can make from you, and then with skilfully woven sweet words make you part with money. Perhaps you have met them. I have. From of old there are those who do it with God’s word. Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. 2Cor 2:17 (NIV). I tremble at these words. Biblical teaching comes forth and at the end a crafty demand is made for money. What type of entourage to receive them is settled well ahead. Even before they arrive for a programme their honorarium is discussed, haggled and settled. They are in prayer squads as well. A specific amount to “hire” their services for family deliverance must be settled before they move off. There are many of them. Have I not met them at the motor parks barely distinguishable from those who sell drugs? Brother, are you a peddler? Sister, are you a hawker of the gospel in the name of a gospel band? You will not play unless the price is settled, and your loyalty lies with the highest bidder. Peddler. Do you know what it means that God says to you “minister in such and such a place”, or is it the god of money, of profit, you recognise? When you look at various invitations before you to minister does the expected honorarium loom large in your decision to accept or reject any? “But isn’t that normal. Everyone does same.” Not exactly; we are not commercializing God's word like so many others. 2Cor2:17 (ISV). Yes many, many people do the same, but Bible calls such commercial ministers, peddlers, salesmen, hawkers of truth, and not approved ministers of the word.

Some messages are worked on, so as to be much more motivational and easily accepted by unbelieving, unrepentant folks. Some songs have limited the mention of the name Jesus just to improve the marketability of the song. “We just want to reach a wider audience” is the justification. Listen, don't take God's Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap... 2C0r2:17(MESSAGE.). No doubt the original inspiration is from God, but the eventual delivery was worked on. Corrupted. Do you feel the need to always flaunt your credentials? Is the gospel your route to wealth? Must you live big off it? We are not like those hucksters-and there are many of them-whose idea in getting out the Gospel is to make a good living out of it 2Cor 2:17(TLB) No wonder death is all around us. No wonder despite the multiplication of worship places disciples are few and decay is rife. Would you be God’s instrument to bring lasting impact? To those who are not being saved, we seem a fearful smell of death and doom, while to those who know Christ we are a life-giving perfume. But who is adequate for such a task as this? Only those who, like our selves, are men of integrity…We are not like those whose idea in getting out the Gospel is to make a good living out of it 2Cor2:16-17(TLB). Don’t be a peddler.