A couple of times recently I have seen charges of Christians
"merchandising" books and tapes, as if that is automatically bad.

The charge is usually made by someone who has an unorthodox, personal
(private) interpretation of a Scripture passage, and it is against those
who dare have an orthodox (widely prevailing) view.  The implication is
that if one does not hold the same unorthodox view, one is guilty of crass
materialism and greed.  The charge usually comes wrapped in a degree of
hostility and stridency, without grace, clearly recognizable as not of the
Spirit.

This is not only arrogant to the extreme but is ridiculous.  Worse, it is
judging the heart of the person who offers books and tapes for sale, which
is a sin at least as bad as that of someone who is actually guilty of crass
materialism and greed.  Such generalized charges are from the pit, authored
by the accuser of the brethren.

There may be those who offer books and tapes for sale with the wrong
motive, but we best leave that judging to God.  Usually, we simply do not
know.  It is reckless and irresponsible to charge that sincere and
dedicated scholars, followers of Christ, and leaders who have studied the
Word for decades are promoting their conclusions just for filthy lucre.  We
best respect their work and at least give it consideration over that of
some maverick blogger.

What we do know is that it costs a lot of time and money to write and
publish books and tapes and without them their messages could not be
distributed on a large scale.  I thank God for them and do not mind paying
a fair price, or to help the ministry or person providing them.  "A laborer
is worthy of his hire," God says.

It is okay to disagree with someone's interpretation, but not okay to
attribute the differing interpretation to sin.  Let us mark and remember
those who do this, and disregard their tainted messages.

Jim