We Do Not Peddle

The Word Of God For Profit

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

There is a story about Christopher Columbus that indicates at one point his crew was near starvation and a group of indigenous people would not provide food. Columbus is said to have consulted with his astronomy book and found that a lunar eclipse would soon occur. When the eclipse happened he told the people that God was mad at them and that they should feed the crew. The crew was fed. He profited from God by making up the story. Had he prayed for food he might have received it, but he made something up.

At all times we must be on guard not to misrepresent God’s message to acquire what we want from others.

With a heart yielded to God, we must honestly share spiritual truths that will benefit those who hear.

The purpose of sharing God’s truth is to profit others,

not to profit ourselves.

Our Daily Bread – March 26, 2011