Submitted by: momofapilot | View Member Profile | View Other Posts
Created: 1/2/2004
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I've been a lifelong SDA and have enjoyed afternoon concerts offered by our churches. The past year I have noticed that some of the musicians have offered their CDs for sale after the concert. An offering for missions has been customary in most concerts, but now in addition to the offering, CD's are often sold in the foyer or adjacent building. I see nothing wrong with that except for the mention of the price of the CD from the pulpit, and even how much to put into the offering plate! One pastor told us that such a concert should bring at least $20 per person from the "nosebleed section" and more for upfront seats. I was appalled. He went on to add that the guest singer was living abroad and proceeds of CD sales were how he made his living. The frosting on this story is that he went on to show off his new Western Wear and leather boots purchased at an upscale (named) merchant. I was instantly reminded of Jesus in the temple angrily throwing the moneychangers (merchants) out. "How dare you turn my Father's house into a market(John2:14-17) This is my only recollection in the Bible of Jesus showing anger. This should also be a lesson to modern day Christians the sacredness of the sanctuary. The sales tables were set up before sundown and sales commenced before sundown too. Has this become acceptable? At another concert, another large church it was made clear that all offerings and CD proceeds were going to the talented young man's college education. Money was collected in the sanctuary for this purpose of tuition for only him.
God gave all of us a talent, and some have the gift of song and music. Is it fair that only those gifted with music should sell their wares from the pulpit? Finally at a third concert, the CDs were sold in the foyer, after sundown, and we were told all proceeds were going to fund the spreading of God's word in Russia, to produce more CDs to be distritbuted free of charge to Russian athiests. Now this was something that seems more in tune with the way we praise the Lord. Churches can set up special accounts to help musicians pay for their expenses. For example our church has a "wedding fund". Fees are collected for rent of the facilities and a portion of this goes to church expense, but there is plently left in the account to pay a musician for his/her expenses such as travel and instrument upkeep. A portion of offerings should also go to a musicians fund. We need to carefully examine the issue from both sides, but always keeping in mind What would Jesus do? If He were sitting there in the pews, singing praise along with us, would He do what we are doing?
