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Why Are Christian Materials Not Free?

Writer's picture: Bradley SliedrechtBradley Sliedrecht

Overview: Given the church's mission to spread the Gospel, it is common to wonder why Christian materials—such as books, music, devotionals, and educational resources—are often not free.


This blog explores the biblical principles that can help us understand the necessity and justification for charging for Christian materials, addressing concerns about accessibility and the spiritual ethos of sharing God’s word.


Biblical Principles on the Value and Cost of Ministry Resources:


  1. Supporting Those Who Teach and Preach:

  • Scriptural Reference: 1 Timothy 5:17-18 - "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and 'The worker deserves his wages.'"


  • Explanation: Paul emphasizes that those who provide spiritual instruction and leadership should receive compensation for their efforts. This principle extends to those who produce Christian materials, as their work involves significant time, talent, and resources that facilitate teaching and spiritual growth.


2. Investment in Quality and Outreach:

  • Scriptural Reference: Exodus 31:3-5 - "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze."


  • Explanation: The Bible highlights the importance of skilled workmanship in serving God’s purposes. Producing high-quality Christian materials often requires the expertise of qualified professionals whose labor, like that of the artisans who built the Tabernacle, is valuable and worthy of fair compensation.

 

3.  Encouraging Generous Giving for Resources:

  • Scriptural Reference: Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."


  • Explanation: While the message of the Gospel is freely given, the physical means of disseminating it—through books, media, and other materials—require financial support. This verse encourages believers to give generously, which enables the distribution of Christian materials to those who cannot afford them, ensuring broader accessibility.


4.  The Practicality of Sustaining Ministry:

  • Scriptural Reference: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 - "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion."


  • Explanation: This passage suggests that God provides resources for personal sustenance and generosity. By purchasing Christian materials, believers support the ministries that produce them, thereby enabling these ministries to continue their work and extend their outreach.


Conclusion: The necessity to charge for Christian materials is grounded in several biblical principles that recognize the value of labor, the costs associated with high-quality production, and the ongoing financial needs of ministry work. While the core message of the Gospel is freely available to all, the creation and distribution of materials that teach and explain the Gospel involve practical costs that must be met to sustain these valuable efforts. Therefore, when Christians purchase these materials, they participate in a cycle of support and generosity that benefits the broader body of Christ, enabling the continuous spread of the Gospel across the globe.


To support our global evangelism efforts, please consider purchasing our Christian teaching materials available at:



My teachings are informed by my academic background, including a Master of Divinity and a Bachelor of Christian Leadership with concentrations in Christian Philosophy and Advanced Biblical Studies, as well as a second Bachelor’s in Divinity with a focus on Evangelism. These materials are not merely academic; they are enriched by my extensive experience in international evangelism, where I travel globally adhering to the motto, "I aim to share Christ where He is unknown, not where others are already working," as inspired by Romans 15:20.

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life and hope street

Life and Hope 

Our ministry is based in Saskatoon and has a global vision of spreading the gospel. We care for the homeless and reach out to the unsaved, starting from in our own neighbourhoods. We partner with churches and ministries around the world to train them in Evangelism, and Christian Living and to help them reach out to their communities and beyond. Our aim is to make disciples of Jesus who will make more disciples.
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