|
The wonderful life the Lord Jesus has blessed us with
Dec. 16, 2007
On the ministry of music....
I was recently reading a little article about christian music. The author was relating to the readers how they loved to listen to different types of christian music and about how sad it is to them that music can divide brothers and sisters in Christ. The columnist went on to list their many favorite mainstream "christian artist." This dear one made no mention that most well known "ministers of music" do not seem to have their ministry lined up with the Word of God. Perhaps the creator of the article had never thought about rather or not some of these ministries are true ministries of Jesus.
If our example is Jesus, and indeed it is, then it would stand to reason that all of our ministry would resemble that of Jesus' (in the Spirititual sense). Sadly, many in the "Music Ministry" (or perhaps I should better call it the Music Industry) do not seem to fashion their ministry as Jesus did. If you wonder what we could be thinking, please read on.
Let's see, where should we begin, let's begin with Jesus. What did His ministry look like? Well, first of all His ministry was not costly in fact it was free. What did He tell His disciples to do when He sent them out?
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matt. 9:6-9
Then later when He commissioned all of his disciples (us too!) to
...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.(Mark 16:15), there was no added "and be thou sure to chargeth hitherto what ye thinketh ye are worth... or asketh thou a fee to covereth costs".
Jesus, Himself did not charge for His Gospel NOR did he charge money for any aspect of His ministry. Sadly, many brothers and sisters are charging money for the gospel they are giving. As a side note, we were wondering what drunk would pay +20.00 to go to a christian concert? Most would probably rather spend their $20 at the local bar. Ah yes, we know, we know.... these music ministers are ministering to the brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a ministry of encouragement, someone might interject. Well, we suppose that could be true, however we guess it's only the brothers and sisters who can afford their encouragement that they minister to. Sad. 
No, Jesus did not charge folks, quiet the opposite.
What did He do when his disciples suggested that He send people away so that they could go buy their own food?
"And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets." (Luke 9:11-17)
But these music ministers can not afford to pay to rent out huge halls all by themselves, some might quip. Maybe not, however if they can not afford to pay for them personally or private donations do not cover the costs, perhaps they should not hold the concert in the hall. What are all these Church meeting buildings for? Can not they hold a meeting or concert in them and sing their encouragement? Ah yes, we know, some do *sometimes*.... why not all the time? Perhaps if they can afford none of these options (sadly enough, even some "Church" groups charge for the use of their building...yes yes, someone has to pay for the lights... and far be it from us to expect that the Lord will provide)... IF they can not afford these options, peradventure they could 1. Minister out in the open, the way Jesus did (no overhead costs there) 2. or house to house as the first believers did 3. or provide it over the internet (we have a link just as such at the end of this little entry) 4. or consider that maybe the Lord does not want them ministering in this way at this time.
We were also wondering why so many so called christian music "artist" seem to look and sound just like the world. When the world changes their fashion or sound, these artist change theirs to line up with the worlds, some even going so far as to look immodest. (1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.)
I, (MaMaMia) recently read a secular article from a major news paper in which the writer conveyed his experience at a christian concert. In his conclusion, he wrote that if he had not known before hand that it was a christian concert he might have left the concert none the wiser. This concert was so filled with worldliness that there was no witness to be seen by a sinner in need of repentance. Truly sad. Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
If a music minister yolks together with a secular producer or "label" would that not be a believer yolking with unbelievers?
Some years ago, we heard a certain popular "rap music minister" pose this question "Ask yourself, are you in it for the ministry or in it trying to make a little loot (slang for money) ballin' (slang for making money, usually in an illegal way) up off this industry." So, translated, that would basically be "Are you a music minister to serve the Lord or are you just trying to make some quick money." Pappy and I think that this is an excellent question, unfortunately, this man's music has slowly been changing from "all out for Jesus" to "all out for" what, we have no idea. The last time we heard music made by him there was not a mention of Jesus on his whole cd (sidenote: since we have not listened to rap in many years, we will say that perhaps this brother has seen the error of his ways and is now trying to praise the Lord with his music, who knows?) The point we wanted to make is that this is very common in the music ministry-industry. The first cd the artist comes out with seems to really praise the Lord, but each cd after seems to get a little further from the Lord as it's center making it a little more sell able and perhaps drawing the artists' "fans" astray in the process. Could this be the result of yolking with unbelievers? And would you believe that when asked some go so far as to proclaim that they were never a Christian band to begin with, they are artist that happen to be christians. HUH?
But they are ministering to LOTS of people, some will cry. No doubt they are ministering to people, the Lord Jesus can use ANYTHING. However, please bare with us as we rehearse a little scenario for you. Suppose a man is in Bar XYZ where there are unclothed ladies dancing. He fancies himself to be enjoying an alcoholic drink and dancing women. He overhears a conversation about God making him think of his upbringing in a Christian family. He is instantly convicted by the Holy Spirit that what he is doing is wrong. He leaves, goes home and in tears repents and begins to follow Jesus. Praise God! God can use anything! Upon hearing a testimony like this, would you now suggest to those who have not repented that they go to Bar XYZ because God can use anything and other unrepented sinners may get delivered there too? NO. You don't suggest a broken (sinful) system to someone hurting and in need of repentance! Apples and Oranges some may be thinking.... perhaps you should start from the beginning of this entry?
We could go on, but this entry is getting long enough as it is. What we would like to suggest to the Chruch (no, not the building.... the people! We are the Chruch!)... what we would like to suggest is that if you are in need of comfort or encouragement and would like to receive that encouragement via music, please get it from your local body. If for some reason you are not able to get it from there, please follow this link: Free Godly Christian Music This site has LOTS of free quality music for encouragement from brothers and sisters who have a testimony of deliverance by our Lord Jesus. They do not charge money for their music but would rather truly minister, the way our Savior did. Freely they have received and freely they give.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you all, we pray!
We are editing to add a comment and response from one of our readers:
Dear Sister momboys2,
Thank you for taking the time to read our little article and posting a positive comment.
You said
"...As far as getting paid - what about preachers? They get paid. Unfortunately we have to have money to live in this world. Even Paul had to make tents to support himself. As the mom of a musician, I know how much money it takes just to purchase one guitar and an amp, and all the stuff that goes along with making music. We all get paid to do what we do. Making money is not the problem. It's how you use it and what message you're spreading that matters."
We are sure that Paul received many donations to cover the costs of the ministry Jesus gave him, however there is no evidence that he received a salary as many (not all) preachers do today for preaching. Like you said, Paul had to make tents to support himself... he did not trust in a salary in exchange for preaching the Gospel. And again, lets look at Jesus' ministry, did He have a salary to preach His Gospel? How did He live without a salary? Donations and perhaps by working? Those "called to the ministry" should understand that they are no different then any other in the body... for we are all called to the ministry! Should we all get paid for each thing we do for Jesus?
We are not against donations (or tithes). No, quite the opposite. However, if after the donations one gets they can not cover their cost of living, which should be simple, not the extravagant lifestyle of the "American dream", perhaps they could 1. ask the LORD to provide their need 2. get a job as the Apostle Paul did.
We are kind of wondering why "the Church", in general, is paying someone b$g money to read the Bible to them in the first place. Where is that prescribed in Scripture? We are not saying that it is a sin to receive a salary as a pastor/preacher, just that we don't see that way of life written of in the Scriptures. Jesus didn't live like that... and as a matter of fact He told one man, when that man said that he would follow him where ever he would go, " The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matt. 8:20 What??? No house in the Suburbs? (disclaimer: we are not saying that one is sinning by living in the suburbs. ;) )
We believe that the Spirit of this Scripture is that Jesus would not be dependent on the system of this Earth. We can not be dependent of the system of this culture/Earth either. We have to be dependent on the Lord Jesus.
Yes, things cost money. However if all is the Lord's, and indeed all is His, then we need not worry about the money aspect. The Lord will provide. Maybe by donations or by way of a job that He has provided his servant to work. Nonetheless, when one puts a price tag on something, they are by that very nature excluding someone, which Jesus did not do. And there is the potential for one to fall into the grave sin of the love of money. We have seen where ministers start off small and seemly dedicated then over years build "an empire" and now seem bent on making sure they "bring in the numbers" that their offering plates be filled. We are inclined to think that that minister did not intend to fall into sin in that manner when they first started off.
We know of believers who have spent less then $1000 for all of their music equipment, including production items. Cd's are VERY cheap and easy to reproduce in this day and age. Plus, there are many FREE web sharing rings, and other low/no cost ways to share their encouragement. What person can't get a job to make enough money to sponsor the ministry that the Lord has given them with the help of the Lord? Additionally, there is such an abundance of STUFF in America, that one would probably have little problem finding other believers to donate most of what is needed for ministry, or unbelievers for that matter... ever heard of FreeCycle ? Moreover, even if one did not live in America, can not the Lord provide? We see no reason or excuse for so many to be getting overly paid for what they deem "their ministry".
We too are the parents of musicians and we would be HORRIFIED should our children try to make money spreading the Gospel. Here is our encouragement to our children. They should never charge a set price for any encouragement they give in Christ. Whatever donations, if ever any, they receive, should be put back into the ministry. They should work with their hands (get a job) to support themselves. The only exception we can see, presently, would be *IF* (and this is a slim if) some brothers and sisters should give donations FOR the sole reason of their support and then only what they *NEED* should be taken from those funds. AND, of course, that situation would be one that would require much prayer before entering into.
We thank you again for your comment and may the Lord Jesus continue to bless and keep you and your family for His glory!
|
| • Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!
|
Comments
|
|
|
|
Posted by
Posted by
Posted by
Anonymous 
Posted by
Dec. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
I think there is a fine line when witnessing to the world. Your eyes have to stay on Jesus and your goal has to constantly be in front of you - to win the lost and dying world to Christ.
As far as getting paid - what about preachers? They get paid. Unfortunately we have to have money to live in this world. Even Paul had to make tents to support himself. As the mom of a musician, I know how much money it takes just to purchase one guitar and an amp, and all the stuff that goes along with making music. We all get paid to do what we do. Making money is not the problem. It's how you use it and what message you're spreading that matters.
Thanks for a thought-provoking blog.