is it biblical to charge

The Laborer is worthy of his hire.

 

Christian schools charge admission. SO I'd have to say, no, there's nothing wrong with it. THe difference is whether the prime purpose is to pass the cost on to the consumer, or whether it's to make money.

 

I agree that they can charge money for their time and materials. It's providing a service. Not everything that is written or done from a Christian perspective is run as a ministry. But even not-for-profits charge money for their services.

I'd take a look at whatever organization or publisher and take a look at where their money goes. You may not be comfortable buying from a for-profit business, and that's perfectly fine.

 

I'm always uncomfortable giving money to Focus on the Family for that reason. Some of their resources are (surprisingly) pretty good, but I don't want to subsidize their political agenda.

Joshua

 

I wouldn't want to subsidize anything of Focus on the Family.

 

Hi Massdak,

Our best friends were over last night and one of the things we were talking about was how so few Christians actually read or know the Bible. It is honestly a shock when one comes to understand that this, God's Word to us, is something most people who profess to believe in that very God have not read, except for little exerpts here and there.

The reason I bring this up is because truly biblical counselling depends on knowing the Bible and knowing it well -- and most paid counsellors who claim they are doing biblical counselling really DON'T know the Bible well!

So what are we paying them for? For secular methods dressed up in Christian terminology! I would suggest that there are VERY few problems which could not be helped by a good friend who simply really knows the Bible. Preferably an older friend who has been walking with the Lord for some time.

This is free.

 

Hi massdak,
I have often wondered the same thing myself. The Lord blessed me with this group www.charityministries.org They have Bible teaching cassettes and books that are free on a donation basis. I think they are an example to all for their generousity and faith.

HCL

 

The reason I bring this up is because truly biblical counselling depends on knowing the Bible and knowing it well -- and most paid counsellors who claim they are doing biblical counselling really DON'T know the Bible well!
True, but when, for example, couples, are seeking marriage counseling, or individuals are seeking professional counselling, they're not seeking biblical counselling per se. Problems that often face a person that require professional counselling are of matters that are extrabiblical or amoral, issues that may not be cleared up with strictly biblical principles. When churches are running professional counselling services, it may be more important to provide Christian counsellors than counselling Christians.

 

It appears that you are suggesting that Scripture is not profitable for all things (2 Tim 3:16-17) and that the knowledge of Christ does not address everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). In a nutshell, there is no problem needing counseling that is not addressed by Scripture. To suggest otherwise is to deny the sufficiency of Scripture.

 

Perhaps the reason counselling from the Bible itself is not so popular is that most people are not fond of being told that the majority of their problems stem from selfish and egotistical sinning natures....

They would much rather blame mom and dad, their past circumstances, bad schooling, their present circumstances, an unreasonable boss or spouse or neighbor or child -- anything to pass the buck. We have gotten so good at what Adam and Eve started!

 

What would constitute being liberal? Where is the person that is totally objective? It is a matter of where you are and where you come from.

[ December 09, 2002, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Terry Herrington ]

 

It appears that you are suggesting that Scripture is not profitable for all things (2 Tim 3:16-17) and that the knowledge of Christ does not address everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). In a nutshell, there is no problem needing counseling that is not addressed by Scripture. To suggest otherwise is to deny the sufficiency of Scripture.

Not at all. The Bible's not gonna give us free fish. But it will teach us to how to fish for ourselves. It's a matter of what we consider to be the help that God gives us. The bible helps us to determine what kind of help we need.

If I'm in need of medical help, I'll seek a doctor. If I need legal help, I'll seek a lawyer. If I need spiritual help, I'll seek a pastor. If I need help with debt management, I'll seek a credit counseling service. If I need help battle alcohol, I'll seek AA. If I need psychological help, I'll seek a professional counsellor.

 

A wise pastoral counselor I know has told me that people that need counseling do much better if they pay for the services they use. While our church could pay their full costs, he asks that the clients pay a fee that is reasonable, (dependant upon they ability to pay). Our church supplements the fee but doesn't pay all of the costs of his professional counseling.

We do have in-house counseling by the pastor and lay counselors for less pressing needs. We also have discipleship groups and house groups which serve to counsel in a more informal way.

 

To respond to the topic... I don't know. I guess my judgement would depend on a lot of different variables such as facts and intention.

I don't pay...when I can find any other way. As for me... I use my Bible and I occasionally speak to one or two of my godly friends who put God before agreeing with me. I will add that I've received many more answers on my knees than in councelling.

[ December 09, 2002, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]

 

i am not aquatinted too much about focus on the family.</font>[/QUOTE]Focus on the Family's political agenda opposes separation of church and state, among other things. I won't provide financial resources for them because of this issue.

Not really. It seems Paul wasn't that concerned about the politics of Rome.

This statement is completely irrelevant to the subject at hand.

So is this one.

And he ends with the catchphrase...

 

The only thing a councillor should do is point you to the BIBLE. ALL the answers are there and if you cannot find them, you will find them on your KNEES!

More so called Christian councillors have destroyed marriages by giving their opinions instead of teaching people a forgiving attitide!