The Gospel is free. Jesus never charged a speaker’s fee. Jesus never sold tickets to his “shows”. In fact He got pretty pissed off at those who did—think of the money changers outside of the temple. Jesus never took an offering, nor did His disciples. Just the opposite, He gave people food, health and life itself for free. Jesus didn’t sign a book deal. He didn’t even write one for heaven’s sake. Jesus didn’t have a career that required signing a contract or getting a “call”. Part of what makes the “Good News” so good is that everything that comes with it is FREE!

I was reminded of this on a recent walk on main street in Longmont. Two well-intentioned and zealous young men approached me and asked if I “knew” Jesus Christ. I wanted to say, “Yes I do! And probably a hell of a lot better than you do!” But I refrained. Instead I replied, “Yes, and I’m not interested.” And then as they walked away I turned to them and said in a polite way, “I admire your zealousness, but it must be difficult to sell Jesus.” And that, I believe, is what they are doing. Maybe not directly, but certainly by helping to get converts who will contribute to ecclesiastical coffers. And they’re not unique. It happens in almost every church or religious organization.

One doesn’t have to look far to see examples of those who are selling the gospel, and who have sold out for the sake of it. The gospel, which is really no Gospel at all, is being marketed in a very big way. People are making bank, and so are churches. And I’m not talking just about the Roman Catholic one here—though they were the first and arguably still the best at doing so! There are church organizations that more closely resemble corporations. Non-Christian certainly—I’m not going to mention them by name. You know who they are! But also Christian ones! I’m not going to mention them by name. You also know who THEY are!

Pastors are also pretty well off. Not most, but many. A six figure salary is not uncommon. I made almost that much when I quit four years ago. And if one factored in benefits I made more! But actually that’s peanuts for many pastors. It’s not uncommon for what I’ll call “sanctified suits” to pull in a half million or more. Don’t believe me? Do your homework. Understand, I don’t begrudge anyone a fair wage. And it is the “American Way”, (though the Gospel is also a big business in other countries. I saw it for myself when I visited Haiti and Sierra Leone, for example) but it’s so clearly NOT the way of Jesus—and the Gospel. And what’s striking to me is that this lesson is so very obvious!

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the son of man has no place to lay his head.”
“Whoever desires to come after me must deny himself.”
“Take nothing for the journey.”
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”

That’s just a few teachings on the topic that immediately come to mind. There’s more. Lots more. Again, do your homework.

I think the point of this is pretty clear: The Gospel is free! You can’t charge for God’s invaluable gifts of love and grace and mercy and forgiveness. And if there is a price-tag involved—in any way, shape or form—then you have sold out, and your middle name might be Judas!

This is not intended to merely be a criticism or a clever post on my blog site. Rather, in some very limited way it is meant to be a call to action. First for each of us to recognize and carefully consider what part we are personally playing in promoting the sale of the Gospel. And then to challenge ourselves, our pastors and our churches to make the changes necessary so that the concept of being “faithful to the Gospel” is more than just another marketing slogan, but rather a reality! One whose only price is that which Jesus Himself paid on the cross!