Monday, October 20, 2014


Christ Cleansing the Temple
It's been accepted as common practice among Christian musicians and artists to sell their music and artwork, as we all know.  They charge a price for their music albums and for their concerts, as well as their paintings and even electronic images of their artwork.  In fact, they even require that you purchase a license just to display the lyrics to their copyrighted music during worship in Church! But is that right?  Is it right sometimes in certain circumstances, but not in others? What does the Bible say about it?

You will recall the passage of Scripture describing the time when Jesus went into the temple and drove out the merchants selling their merchandise and the money changers.  He told them that they had turned His Father's house into a den of robbers or into a place of business.


Matthew's gospel states: "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He *said to them, 'It is written, '"My house shall be called a house of prayer"; but you are making it a robbers' den.'" (Mat 21:12-13)

Selling Christian Music
What is the difference between those merchants selling animals to be used as offerings unto God and merchants selling Christian music for profit?  In many cases, it was the Lord who gave the songwriters or recording artists the songs of worship and praise.  He didn't give it to them for their own benefit to claim as their own or to sell for profit.  He gave it to them for His glory and for His kingdom and for His people to bring offerings of worship and praise unto Him.  In fact, many of the songs contain direct quotes from the Scriptures, such as the Psalms and the book of Revelation, which were originally inspired by the Holy Spirit, not by the modern songwriter.  

In many cases, these things are sold inside of Churches, but it makes no difference what the physical location is.  The Church is not just a building. Just because this is done in a public forum, like Christian bookstores and Internet shopping outlets, does not make it right.  The Church exists wherever two or three are assembled in Jesus' name.  So the passage I have just quoted is directly applicable to the sale of music and art.

I do believe as Keith Green did that when God has given us a gift and a ministry that we should not charge people, but rather accept offerings.  "In 1979, after negotiating a release from his contract with Sparrow, Green initiated a new policy of refusing to charge money for concerts or albums." -- Wikipedia.

Worship is not for sale!  Neither is Christian ministry! I am open to dialogue on this, but if you believe in selling Christian music, then please cite the Scriptures that you believe allow that practice.

Selling Christian Art
And the same goes for sacred Christian art, paintings or drawings of our Lord Jesus or scenes from the Bible. In some cases, this is simply putting the Bible into pictorial format, and selling it for profit. What's the difference between that and selling the Word of God or selling the Bible?  Even if there are indeed certain instances where it is appropriate to sell Christian art, it is wrong to prevent other brethren in Christ from even using an electronic image of that art for non-profit purposes, unless they pay a fee, even when proper credit is given to the artist and copyright is cited.  One godly, Christian artist friend of mine DOES allow the use of electronic images of his art with permission, as long as he is credited as the artist, copyright is cited, and a link back to his website is given.  I truly appreciate this brother’s gracious attitude, which is very generous, and I would be open to comments from my readers on this topic.

Should Christian artists charge only for their production and shipping costs, and accept only love offerings for their work as Keith Greene used to do with his music?  When would it be appropriate to charge a set price, and in what circumstances would it not be, according to God's Word?

Selling God's Word
Now that brings up another issue, which is the sale of Bibles.  I personally have no problem with publishers charging enough for Bibles to cover their costs in producing them, in terms of the printing and distribution.  But these days Bibles are exorbitantly expensive, when they should be relatively inexpensive or free.  In the front of my Bible -- and yours, too -- it says that it is copyrighted and that it may not be reproduced in any form without permission.  The Word of God is not for sale! According to the Word of God, nobody has the right to do so or to prohibit people from copying and distributing it.

Do you think it is ever appropriate for publishers to prohibit people from copying or distributing the Scriptures?  Do you think it is appropriate for them to make a profit from God's Word?  If so, based on what Scriptures?

Selling Prophecies, Sermons, Teachings, and Oil
What is the difference between selling Christian music, art, and Bibles, and selling sermons?  If the Lord gave you the sermon, you have no right to sell it for profit.  It is no different from selling your Bible teachings from the Lord. Yet how many are out there hocking their teaching sets on CD or DVD, or in books!  And what is the difference between that and selling bottles of anointing oil for a price?  How about selling pews or seats in church, as some churches once practiced?  Is it right to sell prophecies?  Absolutely not!  That's how false prophets operate, giving prophecies for a price, which is not too much different than paying a fortune teller.  So why have we accepted the worldly practice of selling God's gifts and talents like music, art, preaching and teaching?

Using Gifts and Talents to Generate Wealth
It is wrong to use the gifts and talents the Lord gave you to generate wealth for the purpose of fulfilling your heart’s desires or for your own plans and designs. It should be done in the name of Jesus, for the Lord, and for the glory of God alone. As we use our gifts and talents, we must avoid covetousness, which is “a strong desire after the possession of worldly things” (Easton's Bible Dictionary). It is “a strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; -- in a bad sense” (Webster’s). This sin is condemned in Scripture and listed among those that would exclude one from heaven (Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10; Matthew 6:20).

And you should not turn the house of God into a business or rob others, especially the poor, or take advantage of them. In fact, you need to consider that the poor may not be able to afford these things, but may benefit greatly from them. The kingdom purposes of God must be first, not greed, covetousness, or selfishness.  The Lord defines greed as having more than you need.  The Lord defines selfishness as keeping everything for yourself while others don’t have.





If one is truly only charging enough to cover costs and provide a modest income for his family, that is between him and God. The Lord knows each heart, and each one will give an account to God for his own actions.


"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33)

"Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'” (Lk 12:15; also see Mt 23:25)

It is wrong to charge churches and other non-profit Christian ministries for the mere use of electronic images or for the use of lyrics, or for the use of songs for non-profit ministry purposes, as long as proper credit is given and they are used for the glory of God, in Jesus name and not for generating wealth, producing new products for sale, or fulfilling one’s selfish desires.

We must be righteous and blameless in our conduct, and operate with integrity, not as the world does.  The Church is not a business!

Offering Teachings, Poems, Art, and Songs for Free
I do not charge anything for any of my blogs, and neither have I monetized my blogs (you will notice that there are no banner ads or popup ads on my websites), although we certainly would gladly accept an offering if someone chose to do so. Rather than publish them as books and sell them, I have made my writings available to the public free of charge, and you can find them all at Writing for the Master. The same goes for the songs we have written, which are available free of charge to the public at Jesus Reigns. Our children's poetry is also available free of charge to the public at Verses to the King, just as their artwork is at A Brush with Life.  Rather than seeing these as an opportunity to make money, we see them as a gift from God meant to bless people.  There are many others who share our perspective, such as The Gideons International, who give out free Bibles, as well as Rick Meyers, who freely gives away the electronic Bible known as e-sword.  

In turn the Bible teaches that the one who is taught the Word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. (Gal 6:6).  That means that people should give to support ministries that are blessing them spiritually.  I think it would be entirely appropriate and would please the Lord if those who read my articles gave an offering, even if it was a small one, so that our needs could be met and we could continue with our ministry. But there is no such thing as a mandatory love offering in order to receive Christian ministry.

Peddling the Word of God
I realize that the worker is worthy of his keep (Mt 10:10) and if a man preaches the gospel, he has a right to make a living from the gospel (1 Cor 9:14).  We may accept offerings and live by faith, trusting God to provide for us, as we share with others the gifts and talents He has blessed us with.  But that does not mean we have the right to charge people a set price for our music, artwork, prophecies, preaching, or teaching, unless it is simply to cover the production and shipping costs.  Charging a set price (over and above production and shipping costs) is just as ridiculous as requiring a mandatory love offering. Those who do so have made money their idol, and the practice of charging for these things is basically peddling the Word of God.  Paul said, "For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." (2Co 2:17)

Buying the Gift of God with Money
Let's not forget what the apostle Peter said to Simon the sorcerer.  "Peter answered: 'May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.'” (Ac 8:20-23).

There is a parallel between the sin of Simon the sorcerer and what some people do today to sell their talents for money.

Confirmation from South Africa
After I wrote this article, I sent it to a sister I know in South Africa, named Susan W.  She is a former Muslim, who is following Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  I did not even know anything about the talent the Lord has given her with singing, but she has a beautiful voice, and many people have remarked to her about it.  Some have advised her to record her music on albums, and write her own songs, and sell them, but she has refused to do so. After she read this article, she wrote back to me the following letter:

"Dear brother Len,

"This article is very thought provoking."

"In my early years, I was singing in church and people loved my singing in praise and worship.  Many of the Pastors of the church that I attended, would never start preaching without asking me to present a worship song.  I sang only, after coming from the prayer closet. Many people asked me to record the songs and write my own and sell.  I resented that and I said that I could never use what the Lord has given me to make money with.  I remember a certain gospel musician from the country of my ancestors, the land of Kenya, approached me and she asked me to go ahead and record.  I resented.  I was even invited to go and sign in India but could not go because I did not have any financial means to.  I have never recorded and I do not sing anymore, but I sing unto the Lord on my own...I am His workmanship and I live to bring Him Glory and Honor."

"People are singing (the so called artists) and selling their music to have material gain.  Many years ago, I listened to a radio interview of a very famous established gospel (praise and worship) musician.  She said in the interview, that nowadays people are peddling their songs.  She said that she and her group would fast and pray before they could even produce a song and record it.  Seeking the Lord’s will and what message He wanted them to pass on.  Their music cassettes were affordable."

"If you listen to prophet Dr. David Owuor during his trip to Cameroon earlier this year, you will hear clearly that he is against peddling and he says if God has sent you somewhere to take a message, you do not need any money.  The one who has called you, will provide for you, because it is His work and not you sending yourself.  However, you can ask for donations, if anybody is willing to financially support.  Look for instance at Maurice Sklar.  He operates from this principle, too, if I am not mistaken.  Have you seen the late sister Choo Thomas and how she operated?  I got in touch with her in 2008 and was in contact with her all this while until she passed on.  She sent me her DVDs for free.  She was charging for her book Heaven Is So Real but to get the money for production only."

"There is no difference in what is being done by the so-called Christian Gospel singers (artists) than doing any other business.  They are not singing or preaching with compassion for the lost, but to make money for themselves and drive big cars, own huge houses.  Brother Len, people will burn in hell!"

Warning to Those Using Talents to Make Money
I hope that this has served as a wake up call to the Church about this worldly practice. There is a difference between accepting offerings as a workman worthy of his keep versus selling things to make money.  The Lord is against greed, covetousness, selfishness, merchandising in the Church, selling the gift of God for money, and peddling the Word of God.

I would like to close with a warning given to Samuel Oghenetega by the Lord Jesus Christ.  This warning is to those using talents to make money.  The Lord said, "Tell those using the talents I gave them to make money and their hearts' desires to stop or else I will take it from them and give it to another. I will cast them into the lake of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mt 25:14-30."  I did not say that.  The Lord did.  Stop fulfilling your own plans and designs. Invest your talents in His service.  Give your talents to God. If you have been practicing this sin of peddling the Word of God, selling your Christian merchandise in the Church or to the Church for profit, then I repeat to you the words of our Lord: Take these things away; stop making the Father's house a place of business!

To those who thought you could sell the gift of God for money, you need to know the Bible calls it wickedness. Your hearts are not right with God. As Peter said, you had better repent of this wickedness before Jesus comes, and cry out to God for mercy, in the hope that He may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For you are captive to sin. You may also need to make restitution to the poor people you have robbed. He still loves you, but He will not lower His standard of heaven for anyone.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.  Christ Cleansing the Temple, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1875

Author's Note: If you disagree with this article, please pray about it and leave thoughtful, referenced comments that would be conducive to healthy dialogue. If you enjoyed this post, you may also like A Trip to Hell, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega, What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel?, Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead, Holy Living in a Perverted World, and the other posts on the home page. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?





  1. Very true Len; Thank you for your boldness; I wish to give you a testimony of how God provides those who give; I was staying in a church in Korea for 4 months for free; free food and accommodation; The otehr pastors asked that pastor why he does so and he said that it is because of the Spiritual growth of the visitors and members. All people all over the world come and stay for free; This is how God has blessed him; He has finances to travel all over the world and is building an orphanage in Uganda costing $1500 million and every now and again truckloads of food arrive at his church and the poeple are anonymous! Must be angels. Here is a lesson to learn about giving and how God will repay.

    1. Hi, Lloyd, thanks for reading and commenting. You are right that the Lord provides.

      You must be talking about Pr. Yong-Doo Kim. I love him. Shalom!

  2. Len, I am going to paste my comment on this in 3 parts due to the character limits per post: here is another side of it, as you already expressed the Bible's Scripture in 1 Corinthians 9:14 that it actually is a command from the Lord that those who preach the gospel should make their living from it. And 1 Timothy 5:8 "For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

    There are many valid points you made but I have to say, we must be careful when we receive prophecy because sometimes we must not jump to a broad conclusion but careful examine what is being said or stand the risk of promoting the work of the devil.

    Satan would be pleased if Christian artists, writers, songwriters and the like, would be burdened down by an impossible stumbling block where they cannot make a reasonable living from their livelihood, and so turn to outside non-Christian places to make their livelihoods and be split-minded, or even snared by such worldly jobs to hell.

    There is two different things happening here: there are distinctly worldly and carnal people who seem godly but as 2 Timothy 3:5 says, "they are holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."

    These are the kind of people who are presenting the things of God only for their own bellies, and their own personal gain, and that is sin, as the Bible says. It is the intent of the heart where the evil lies.

    They are like Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:20 who wanted to enrich himself by buying the same ability to impart Holy Spirit on others and Peter defined this attitude as an unright heart: when Simon said, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21"You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God."

    There are many people, not just creators of Christian works, but ministers as well, who choose the path of their work just as a means to make money, having nothing to do with elevating God or fulfilling the great mandate to evangelize. They think because it is in the field of Christianity that they are somehow earning brownie points with God in the process of their worldly focus, but are instead deceived.

    Many times these can be young people not yet mature in Christ who haven't reached the revelations of salvation in its fullness, and it is a matter of their needing counsel to see the errors of their choices that gives them a detestable heart before God, such hearts that take people to hell.

    1. Hi, Vivian,

      I cannot respond to every one of your points individually due to the sheer volume of your comments. But I asked for a dialogue on this topic that references Scripture, and you have certainly taken me up on that invitation, so thanks!

      Where I disagree with you: 1) 1 Cor 9 in context is about the rights of an apostle. Those who preach the gospel have a right to make a living from the gospel. These are specific people, and I don't think it can be applied to everyone who considers their use of their artistic talent as a ministry. However, even if these people do feel the Lord has given them that right, they cannot use that passage to justify copyrighting their productions or charging a set price for them. Even Paul said he chose not to use his rights, so that he would have rewards in heaven. That's why he worked at times to support himself. And receiving offerings for preaching is not the same as charging a set price for producing a song or painting, and preventing others from freely those unless they pay. 2) 1 Tim 5:8 does require a man to provide for his family. But let's not try to stretch that too far to justify how he provides. How he does so must still be righteous, and I think we agree on that.

      Where I agree with you: 1) Artists should be allowed to "make a reasonable living from their livelihood," as with any trade. But of course how they do so must still be righteous. 2) Simon sorcerer is a good example of the wrong approach; 3) Such wrong attitudes, motives, and means of earning a living are due to the deception of the devil and will lead such deceived people to hell.

  3. These are not to be confused with genuine believers who follow the Lord's teaching in full, who rightfully make their living fairly from the work they do for the Lord. Such people no doubt are as your friend who at times give away their work to those unable to pay, but they are obligated to respect authority and the rules of employers and organizations as the Bible tells us to do. Artists, Singers, songwriters, authors are often obligated to keep to the rules of their industry which can involve contracts where they are obligated to meet certain percentages, and as well, it is important that they use the talents wisely that the Lord gave them in order to have the ability to spread their works for Christ.

    Remember we are to pay taxes to who is owed taxes, and we are to pay to any that which is due, and in the artistic industry there exists a hierarchy of legal rights and percentages that a songwriter or musician must respect. This, though, contractual obligations and music industry rules concerning song rights, are not to be confused with peddling the things of God for one's own worldly desires, which is sin because one's heart is not right with God from the worldly self focus.

    I can tell you as a writer that if what I do does not produce a profit for the printers, I can get cut off as we are dealing with businesses. I know of a small company who published Bibles and also of a talented Christian singer, who were bound by the guilt of making profit that they were successfully driven to the point they were financially powerless to continue their work as they were being bled to death by the costs of giving their works away and came to a point of running out of funds. They were not wise builders for the kingdom of Christ as they let themselves be bound by an impossible stumbling block of being made felt they were doing evil if it involved getting a fair compensation for their work so that such misguided attitudes led them to become bankrupt of funds and unable to keep on. That is what makes Satan happy.

    What matters is not that there is a problem gaining income from selling Christian material, but the problem lies in what is within the heart of each individual engaged in such activity?

    It will never be acceptable or righteous to believe or preach that the powers and gifts of God can be bought, as the Scriptures shows. For certain, such people are working for another god, and they have become workers of Satan who lead people to perdition through their strange fire just to enrich themselves.

    But we are to resist the wiles of Satan to make even the commands of Christ on how a worker who justly with a right heart earns his wage while promoting the kingdom, seem evil, as that is an excellent demonic stumbling block to stop the spread of Christian works in that way. In fact, this strategy has been effective to make other Christians feel anger at supporting any such Christian financially as if they are doing evil, and the devil has succeeded in blinding them to the Scripture in 3 John 1:8 which teaches us that "Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth."

    So through such wiles of Satan to make good seem evil and evil seem good, workers for Christ through such unfounded guilt find themselves too broke to continue in their ministries for Jesus and this is exacerbated by the disapproving attitudes of fellow Christians ignorant that the Bible says they should participate supporting such work so they too will participate in the good work.

    Yes, the Lord provides, but often it is through the work of our own hands. I will never tolerate someone trying to peddle healing water, or gifts of the Spirit, as that is evil. But I will never make a Christian artist seem in the wrong for fairly covering costs of their materials and allowing a fair wage above that which will enable that brother to continue, in full devotion to his or her work for the Kingdom.

    1. Hi, sister Vivian, just a couple comments in response to yours:

      Where I agree: 1) There are those who "rightfully make their living fairly from the work they do for the Lord." However, Paul said whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. So I think you would agree that no matter what a disciple does is for the Lord, and we don't always get paid a set price for that, nor do we charge for all of that, and our rewards are in heaven, not in this life. We trust God to provide, not mammon. 2) In 3 Jn 1, John was commending Gaius for his love to the brethren, kindness to the poor, hospitality to Christian strangers, and readiness to accommodate them for the service of the gospel. These witnesses were brethren that came from Gaius, who testified and bore witness to his kindness to them. That passage teaches us to do the same. But it cannot be interpreted to mean that such witnesses can come along and charge a set price, or demand minimum payment for their gospel work, and I already know you agree with that. So while there is no law against love or any fruit of the spirit shown toward another person, we cannot use this verse to say artists and musicians may set their own price and charge a minimum, unless we are seeing their work as any another trade (rather than a holy ministry) and their products as mere commodities sold on the market or merchandise, (rather than a holy ministry unto the Lord). We cannot look at it both ways simultaneously. I think it should be either one or the other. Either they are doing it as a ministry not to be paid, or they are selling their products as a trade. 3) I also agree that many Christian ministers like missionaries feel like they are "too broke to continue in their ministries for Jesus." However, if the Lord has called us to the work, He will provide for us to continue it. He didn't say it would be easy, free of hardships, or that He would provide in the way we expected or according to our cultural norms.

  4. Now on this I touch on the sister in South Africa you wrote about Susan W., who after reading your article shared how she resented anytime anyone suggested she make an album and sell her music. The Bible says we are all to pass our time singing praises to the Lord, and that is right, however, the ranks of Christians who are in the view of the unsaved, and the saved, performing professionally should fill up in equal to the wicked in order to be lamps on the table to light the world and not hidden where their light does not shine.

    If that sister who refuses to make albums and sell music keeps hiding her talent in the ground in fear of sinning, then the audience she might reach who would be inspired by her Godly songs will never get her example before them, an example which may end up making the difference for them in an important eternal way. Yes, she is right to ‘test the spirits’ and see the heart of anyone saying she should sell her music; if it is to coach her to get rich through this, then, yes, she should reject such a tempter. But if it is to share her talent to lead others to Christ, then she should refuse to let Satan close her heart against using her talent in this way, as it is not money that is filthy, but the intent of the heart.

    So I say to Christian brethren in the arts, do not let the enemy bind you with a stumbling block that is not biblical. Realize Satan wants you to hide your light so all stay in darkness.

    Yes, it is a great sifting of faith to be in the limelight and remain stain-free; that is what is to be feared, but we are not to shrink back from the good fight, and that includes using our talents to put Christ's message in the face of the public, to have Christian inspirational paintings hanging in the galleries and Christian music that promotes the teachings of Jesus and exalts the Lord along with worldly, so in the darkness, light can shine. Otherwise, only ungodly art and music will predominate all media.

    When I set myself to write a Christian song that shines a light on the Bible, I pray to the Lord to make it popular enough so that people will listen and the world will open the doors to playing it, and it can lead them to Christ. That is a right heart. If I prayed to the Lord to make it popular so I could pay off my house and take a vacation that would be an evil heart.

    Let's remove the stumbling blocks that Satan wants to cripple all Christian artists with to effectively stop them leading others on the right path. It is a very clever demonic plan to make everything involving the gain of money seem wrong for a Christian to participate in, and that is something we should firmly rebuke and refuse to let the devil twist our thinking in that way.

    If you re-read the messages given to Samuel Oghenetega you will see it is the self-serving intention of the hearts of those who are peddling the Word for their own selfish plans that is the issue, just like Simon the Sorcerer. Again, that is not to be confused with Christians, as Apostle Paul, who needed and accepted donations and monies and supplies in order to do the work for the Lord. You see the difference?

    1. Hi, sister Vivian, just a note to reply to your comments:

      Where I disagree: 1) You stated: "the ranks of Christians who are in the view of the unsaved, and the saved, performing professionally should fill up in equal to the wicked." I don't agree. I think you are entitled to your opinion on that, but you are coming from another worldview (whether you realize it or not), one that sees it as the duty of Christians to take dominion of each sector of society, such as entertainment. While we are called to be salt, let's remember that when we salt our food, we don't have an equal amount of salt as we do food on the plate. We sprinkle it on, not dump the box. So there are few disciples of Christ truly living for Him and doing His true gospel work in the world, as you already know. And their presence is more of a sprinkling than a one-for-one counter-representation against evil according to a headcount. God's ways are higher than ours and even with the Gideon army, God worked with few as did Jesus with His twelve. 2) I do not agree with your comments about the S African sister who refused to publish her music through a recording company. That was her conviction in the Lord and I commend her for it. I personally don't think she is walking in fear, except the fear of the Lord. 3) You stated, "it is not money that is filthy, but the intent of the heart." No doubt the intent of the heart can be filthy as in greed and covetousness. I agree with you. But let's remember the Bible refers to filthy lucre (1 Tim 3:3). That word is "aischrokerdēs" or "greedy for sordid gain" or "given to filthy lucre." The word lucre, per Webster, is "Gain in money or goods; profit; usually in an ill sense, or with the sense of something base or unworthy." And our Lord Jesus taught us that we cannot serve both God and Mammon (wealth). So as you said, that temptation must be resisted. 4) You stated "Apostle Paul...needed and accepted donations and monies and supplies in order to do the work for the Lord." I agree that he accepted donations, but he said He trusted the Lord to provide. He refrained from saying he was in need, but had learned to be content in plenty or in want (Phil 4:12). He trusted the Lord, not man or mammon.