Post by Paddy by Grace on Jul 3, 2010 5:01:25 GMT -7
Would the Apostles have Shopping Carts on their Websites?
by servant@nazareneisrael.org Yochanan (John) 2:13-16
13 Now the Passover of the Yahudim was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's House a house of merchandise!"
(This email may be freely forwarded.)
Brothers, why does it destroy unity within the House of Ephraim when ministers sell their books and DVD's for a profit? I'm not talking about covering their costs: I am talking about when they make a profit by selling things for more than it costs them. Why does that hurt unity?
In Hebrew, the word 'Holy' is the word 'Qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ ) and it refers to something that is 'set apart' from the things of the regular world. It refers to something that is entirely spiritual, and belonging to YHWH. It is 'set apart' from normal money-making and commerce.
Yeshua said that we cannot serve two masters: we cannot serve both Elohim, and mammon (money). Either we will hate the one and love the other, or else we will be loyal to the one and despise the other. Isn't that what's really happening in the Ephraimite Movement today?
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:24-25
24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve Elohim and mammon.
The only time Yeshua ever became physically violent is when the merchants were selling things at a profit in His Father's House; and isn't that what really happens when ministers monetize the Free Gift?
Yochanan (John) 2:13-16
13 Now the Passover of the Yahudim was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
Aren't ministerial Book and DVD Sales really the exact same outrage that caused Yeshua to become physically violent? And when YHWH gives us insights for free, how do you suppose He feels about us turning around and making a profit on it?
Can we talk? Something happens when one tries to make a living selling YHWH's word at a profit. Isn't there a 'mass marketing' incentive to preach a broad, easier message, so that more people will buy one's books and tapes?
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
And what happens when we buy the books and DVD's of those who monetize the Free Gift, and the things of YHWH's House? Isn't there an incentive to avoid a difficult message that might not be readily heard?
We all have a requirement to witness, and something beautiful happens when we go out of our way to share YHWH's Truths with others. It takes of our time, and it might take away from our ability to earn money. It may even damage our position vis-à-vis others. And yet, isn't that sacrifice of time and mammon the very thing that shows YHWH we love Him the most?
Sacrifice is love. But where is the sacrifice in book sales?
And what happens when we put a price tag on the Free Gift? Is it any longer free? And how can the people come and partake of YHWH's living waters without price, when men have put a price tag on it?
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 55:1-3
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you -- The sure mercies of David."
Does it lead to unity in the House of Ephraim to make money off of the things of YHWH? Or doesn't it really rather undercut and destroy unity in the House of Ephraim, because it departs from YHWH's Torah?
When we live in the Dispersion we pay secular taxes for secular governance. Our streets are filled with violence because our children are taught against the Scriptures, and we are judged by secular courts, such that justice is never done. At every turn, the secular government seeks to undermine the Torah and the lifestyle of Scripture, and our children are taught to accept 'alternative' lifestyles.
In YHWH's world there is no separation between Body and State. There are no secular taxes, and no secular government. Israel is one entity, one organism, and one family. What any man does impacts all of the others, because we are one people.
When we live in the Land, Israel is to be governed by a system of three flat tithes, plus as a ten percent 'flat tax' to support the king, who is essentially commander of the army. Note that these are purposefully 'flat taxes' (or 'flat tithes'); and as a result, when the kingship and the priesthood help the people to do well economically, the kingship's and the priesthood's revenues also increase. In other words, when the king and the priesthood help the people to benefit, the king and the priesthood also benefit. Thus YHWH's system is a mutually-symbiotic arrangement, designed for the benefit of all within Israel. It is all for one, and one for all. There is no ugly attitude of "I am an Ephraimite minister, and I will look out for me only."
B'reisheet (Genesis) 4:9
9 Then YHWH said to Qayin, "Where is Havel your brother?"
He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
The priesthood's duty is that of shepherds, which is to say that they are their brother's keepers. The priests are duty-bound to provide teaching and instruction in Torah to the people for free, since their livelihood is paid by this ten percent flat tithe. Yet notice how this system requires the priests all to work together to benefit the nation as a whole.
The modern Ephraimite minister's ethic of "I am only responsible for me" is contrary to YHWH's Torah. YHWH purposed the First Tithe to support all of the priesthood in their work. The First Tithe was always brought up to one central place, and distributed fairly. It was supposed to cover all of the ministers' expenses start to finish, so they could serve YHWH without having to worry about their bodily needs; and it also paid for a system of judges.
Bemidbar (Numbers) 18:19-20
19 "All the heave offerings of the set apart things, which the children of Israel offer to YHWH, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before YHWH with you and your descendants with you."
20 Then YHWH said to Aharon: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.
21 "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
22 Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die.
23 But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
24 For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to YHWH, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, 'Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.'"
If keeping Torah was simply a matter of buying the books and DVD's we are interested in, then there would not be an issue: but Book and tape merchandising does not the Torah make.
One big problem is that not everyone who is called to ministry has the same gifts. That is, teaching is not the only thing that ministers are supposed to do. Those who are called to minister are also called to perform ministries of helps, healings, administrations, and more.
Qorintim Aleph (1st Corinthians) 12:28-29
28 And Elohim has appointed these in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
So what happens when one minister is a good speaker, and avoids the difficult subjects, and as a result he sells his books and tapes, and keeps all of the money for himself? How is that unity in the House of Ephraim? How does it help to provide for those who do outreach to the homeless? How does it help to provide for those who have been called to prison ministries? How does it help those who have been called to give up their lives to be missionaries in India, Africa, or South America? How does it help those who are called to minister to families, or to orphans and widows?
When the 'silver-tongued talkers' are only concerned about selling their books and tapes and DVD's, how does it bring unity with other ministers? How does it bring the House of Ephraim together as one man? I would submit to you that it does not: and in fact, it does the exact opposite. It lulls the people into thinking that they have done their part, simply by buying the books and tapes of those who monetize the Free Gift.
YHWH purposed the Second Tithe as the People's Tithe. The people were supposed to use it to go up to Jerusalem for the festivals, and buy whatever their hearts desired.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:22-26
22 "You shall surely tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.
23 And you shall eat before YHWH your Elohim in the place where He chooses to make His Name abide, the tithe (singular) of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, so that you may learn to fear YHWH your Elohim always.
24 But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where YHWH your Elohim chooses to put His Name is too far from you, when YHWH your Elohim has blessed you,
25 then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which YHWH your Elohim chooses.
26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before YHWH your Elohim, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
And the really neat thing about the Second Tithe is that not only does it pay for the festivals in Jerusalem three times a year, but it also provides for the people to buy whatever their hearts desire. Three times a year whatever is left over is to pay for that new computer you wanted, or new cell phones for the kids or a better car for the wife. Or, you can also buy gifts for the poor, if that is what your heart desires. This is the money for that. It helps make YHWH's festival times special, so the kids grow up loving it.
The Third Tithe was offered two out of every seven years, and was to be distributed by the priesthood. Its primary purpose was that of supporting the poor, the widow and the orphan, but the Levites were also to eat of it while they were overseeing its fair distribution.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:28-29
28 "At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates.
29 And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that YHWH your Elohim may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
Now, one might think that book sales are essentially YHWH's way of replacing the First and Third Tithes whenever there is no Temple. One might think that when ministers sell the insights that YHWH gave them for free, that this is just 'the worker being worthy of his hire', and that it also provides for the poor within our midst. But is that really the effect that it has?
When did any of the apostles ever sell the Word? Did Kepha (Peter) sell the insights that YHWH gave him? Do we ever see the Apostle Shaul writing to the Corinthians, telling them, "Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me, you can find the answer to your questions in my exciting new book which sells for only thirty nine shekels and ninety-five agurot! Order your copy now!"
Isn't it sickening to think that Yeshua died, so that some can sell the free insights for a profit?
Now it is true that the Apostle Shaul lovingly asked the people for voluntary support in almost every epistle he ever wrote; but can we imagine him putting a price tag on the insights that YHWH had given to him? Or did he not say that would be to abuse his authority?
Qorintim Aleph (1st Corinthians) 9:16-18
16 For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the Good News!
17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have (only) been entrusted with a stewardship.
18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Messiah without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the Good News.
Did any of the apostles ever charge anything for their works? Or did they not rather hand it away for free, and then rely on YHWH to move on the people's hearts to supply their needs?
Brother, if the apostles were alive today, do you think they would have shopping carts on their websites? And what does it do to unity in the Body, when ministers won't share their insights with you unless you pay $29.95?
And what about that All Rights Reserved copyright clause? How does that affect unity?
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 10:8
8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
Brothers, is it really unity if the purpose is mass marketing? And is it really Torah?
Can we see the corruption in all of this? And if Yeshua were here today, wouldn't He take a whip of cords, and drive the DVD merchants out of His Father's House?
Yochanan (John) 2:13-16
13 Now the Passover of the Yahudim was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's House a house of merchandise!"
Brothers, in all good conscience, how can we make a profit on the Free Gift?
What is next? Are we to sell admission to our assemblies?
May YHWH please cleanse us all of all our unrighteousness, so that we might become worthy to be filled with His Spirit! And may it be soon, and in our day.
In Yeshua's name,
Amein.
יברכך יהוה וישמרך
יאר יהוה פניו אליך ויחנך
ישא יהוה פניו אליך וישם לך שלום
Norman B. Willis
Overseer, The Israelite sect of the Nazarenes
Re-establishing the original faith of the apostles
www.nazareneisrael.org
Full length books in print at Amazon.com (less than ten dollars each): Nazarene Israel: The Original Faith of the Apostles A primer on the original first-century 'Jewish-Christian' faith Yeshua taught His apostles to keep. 320pp.
The Post-Millennial Return Explains why Yeshua must return back to earth in physical form closer to the year 3000; and what that means for us today.
The Torah Calendar Explains the calendar YHWH actually asks us to keep in Torah.
All our publications are made available to you entirely at cost, as His Word is supposed to be free of charge (e.g., Isaiah 55:1, John 2:13-16).
by servant@nazareneisrael.org Yochanan (John) 2:13-16
13 Now the Passover of the Yahudim was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's House a house of merchandise!"
(This email may be freely forwarded.)
Brothers, why does it destroy unity within the House of Ephraim when ministers sell their books and DVD's for a profit? I'm not talking about covering their costs: I am talking about when they make a profit by selling things for more than it costs them. Why does that hurt unity?
In Hebrew, the word 'Holy' is the word 'Qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ ) and it refers to something that is 'set apart' from the things of the regular world. It refers to something that is entirely spiritual, and belonging to YHWH. It is 'set apart' from normal money-making and commerce.
Yeshua said that we cannot serve two masters: we cannot serve both Elohim, and mammon (money). Either we will hate the one and love the other, or else we will be loyal to the one and despise the other. Isn't that what's really happening in the Ephraimite Movement today?
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:24-25
24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve Elohim and mammon.
The only time Yeshua ever became physically violent is when the merchants were selling things at a profit in His Father's House; and isn't that what really happens when ministers monetize the Free Gift?
Yochanan (John) 2:13-16
13 Now the Passover of the Yahudim was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
Aren't ministerial Book and DVD Sales really the exact same outrage that caused Yeshua to become physically violent? And when YHWH gives us insights for free, how do you suppose He feels about us turning around and making a profit on it?
Can we talk? Something happens when one tries to make a living selling YHWH's word at a profit. Isn't there a 'mass marketing' incentive to preach a broad, easier message, so that more people will buy one's books and tapes?
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
And what happens when we buy the books and DVD's of those who monetize the Free Gift, and the things of YHWH's House? Isn't there an incentive to avoid a difficult message that might not be readily heard?
We all have a requirement to witness, and something beautiful happens when we go out of our way to share YHWH's Truths with others. It takes of our time, and it might take away from our ability to earn money. It may even damage our position vis-à-vis others. And yet, isn't that sacrifice of time and mammon the very thing that shows YHWH we love Him the most?
Sacrifice is love. But where is the sacrifice in book sales?
And what happens when we put a price tag on the Free Gift? Is it any longer free? And how can the people come and partake of YHWH's living waters without price, when men have put a price tag on it?
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 55:1-3
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you -- The sure mercies of David."
Does it lead to unity in the House of Ephraim to make money off of the things of YHWH? Or doesn't it really rather undercut and destroy unity in the House of Ephraim, because it departs from YHWH's Torah?
When we live in the Dispersion we pay secular taxes for secular governance. Our streets are filled with violence because our children are taught against the Scriptures, and we are judged by secular courts, such that justice is never done. At every turn, the secular government seeks to undermine the Torah and the lifestyle of Scripture, and our children are taught to accept 'alternative' lifestyles.
In YHWH's world there is no separation between Body and State. There are no secular taxes, and no secular government. Israel is one entity, one organism, and one family. What any man does impacts all of the others, because we are one people.
When we live in the Land, Israel is to be governed by a system of three flat tithes, plus as a ten percent 'flat tax' to support the king, who is essentially commander of the army. Note that these are purposefully 'flat taxes' (or 'flat tithes'); and as a result, when the kingship and the priesthood help the people to do well economically, the kingship's and the priesthood's revenues also increase. In other words, when the king and the priesthood help the people to benefit, the king and the priesthood also benefit. Thus YHWH's system is a mutually-symbiotic arrangement, designed for the benefit of all within Israel. It is all for one, and one for all. There is no ugly attitude of "I am an Ephraimite minister, and I will look out for me only."
B'reisheet (Genesis) 4:9
9 Then YHWH said to Qayin, "Where is Havel your brother?"
He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"
The priesthood's duty is that of shepherds, which is to say that they are their brother's keepers. The priests are duty-bound to provide teaching and instruction in Torah to the people for free, since their livelihood is paid by this ten percent flat tithe. Yet notice how this system requires the priests all to work together to benefit the nation as a whole.
The modern Ephraimite minister's ethic of "I am only responsible for me" is contrary to YHWH's Torah. YHWH purposed the First Tithe to support all of the priesthood in their work. The First Tithe was always brought up to one central place, and distributed fairly. It was supposed to cover all of the ministers' expenses start to finish, so they could serve YHWH without having to worry about their bodily needs; and it also paid for a system of judges.
Bemidbar (Numbers) 18:19-20
19 "All the heave offerings of the set apart things, which the children of Israel offer to YHWH, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before YHWH with you and your descendants with you."
20 Then YHWH said to Aharon: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.
21 "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
22 Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die.
23 But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
24 For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to YHWH, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, 'Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.'"
If keeping Torah was simply a matter of buying the books and DVD's we are interested in, then there would not be an issue: but Book and tape merchandising does not the Torah make.
One big problem is that not everyone who is called to ministry has the same gifts. That is, teaching is not the only thing that ministers are supposed to do. Those who are called to minister are also called to perform ministries of helps, healings, administrations, and more.
Qorintim Aleph (1st Corinthians) 12:28-29
28 And Elohim has appointed these in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
So what happens when one minister is a good speaker, and avoids the difficult subjects, and as a result he sells his books and tapes, and keeps all of the money for himself? How is that unity in the House of Ephraim? How does it help to provide for those who do outreach to the homeless? How does it help to provide for those who have been called to prison ministries? How does it help those who have been called to give up their lives to be missionaries in India, Africa, or South America? How does it help those who are called to minister to families, or to orphans and widows?
When the 'silver-tongued talkers' are only concerned about selling their books and tapes and DVD's, how does it bring unity with other ministers? How does it bring the House of Ephraim together as one man? I would submit to you that it does not: and in fact, it does the exact opposite. It lulls the people into thinking that they have done their part, simply by buying the books and tapes of those who monetize the Free Gift.
YHWH purposed the Second Tithe as the People's Tithe. The people were supposed to use it to go up to Jerusalem for the festivals, and buy whatever their hearts desired.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:22-26
22 "You shall surely tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.
23 And you shall eat before YHWH your Elohim in the place where He chooses to make His Name abide, the tithe (singular) of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, so that you may learn to fear YHWH your Elohim always.
24 But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where YHWH your Elohim chooses to put His Name is too far from you, when YHWH your Elohim has blessed you,
25 then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which YHWH your Elohim chooses.
26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before YHWH your Elohim, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
And the really neat thing about the Second Tithe is that not only does it pay for the festivals in Jerusalem three times a year, but it also provides for the people to buy whatever their hearts desire. Three times a year whatever is left over is to pay for that new computer you wanted, or new cell phones for the kids or a better car for the wife. Or, you can also buy gifts for the poor, if that is what your heart desires. This is the money for that. It helps make YHWH's festival times special, so the kids grow up loving it.
The Third Tithe was offered two out of every seven years, and was to be distributed by the priesthood. Its primary purpose was that of supporting the poor, the widow and the orphan, but the Levites were also to eat of it while they were overseeing its fair distribution.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 14:28-29
28 "At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates.
29 And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that YHWH your Elohim may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
Now, one might think that book sales are essentially YHWH's way of replacing the First and Third Tithes whenever there is no Temple. One might think that when ministers sell the insights that YHWH gave them for free, that this is just 'the worker being worthy of his hire', and that it also provides for the poor within our midst. But is that really the effect that it has?
When did any of the apostles ever sell the Word? Did Kepha (Peter) sell the insights that YHWH gave him? Do we ever see the Apostle Shaul writing to the Corinthians, telling them, "Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me, you can find the answer to your questions in my exciting new book which sells for only thirty nine shekels and ninety-five agurot! Order your copy now!"
Isn't it sickening to think that Yeshua died, so that some can sell the free insights for a profit?
Now it is true that the Apostle Shaul lovingly asked the people for voluntary support in almost every epistle he ever wrote; but can we imagine him putting a price tag on the insights that YHWH had given to him? Or did he not say that would be to abuse his authority?
Qorintim Aleph (1st Corinthians) 9:16-18
16 For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the Good News!
17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have (only) been entrusted with a stewardship.
18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Messiah without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the Good News.
Did any of the apostles ever charge anything for their works? Or did they not rather hand it away for free, and then rely on YHWH to move on the people's hearts to supply their needs?
Brother, if the apostles were alive today, do you think they would have shopping carts on their websites? And what does it do to unity in the Body, when ministers won't share their insights with you unless you pay $29.95?
And what about that All Rights Reserved copyright clause? How does that affect unity?
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 10:8
8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
Brothers, is it really unity if the purpose is mass marketing? And is it really Torah?
Can we see the corruption in all of this? And if Yeshua were here today, wouldn't He take a whip of cords, and drive the DVD merchants out of His Father's House?
Yochanan (John) 2:13-16
13 Now the Passover of the Yahudim was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's House a house of merchandise!"
Brothers, in all good conscience, how can we make a profit on the Free Gift?
What is next? Are we to sell admission to our assemblies?
May YHWH please cleanse us all of all our unrighteousness, so that we might become worthy to be filled with His Spirit! And may it be soon, and in our day.
In Yeshua's name,
Amein.
יברכך יהוה וישמרך
יאר יהוה פניו אליך ויחנך
ישא יהוה פניו אליך וישם לך שלום
Norman B. Willis
Overseer, The Israelite sect of the Nazarenes
Re-establishing the original faith of the apostles
www.nazareneisrael.org
Full length books in print at Amazon.com (less than ten dollars each): Nazarene Israel: The Original Faith of the Apostles A primer on the original first-century 'Jewish-Christian' faith Yeshua taught His apostles to keep. 320pp.
The Post-Millennial Return Explains why Yeshua must return back to earth in physical form closer to the year 3000; and what that means for us today.
The Torah Calendar Explains the calendar YHWH actually asks us to keep in Torah.
All our publications are made available to you entirely at cost, as His Word is supposed to be free of charge (e.g., Isaiah 55:1, John 2:13-16).