The New Free

Everything that is free is not free.

Across the body of Christ, there are many ministry leaders and churches giving away various resources for ‘free.’  A few definitions of free (according to Dictionary.com) are:

• provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
• not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.
• not subject to rules, set forms, etc.
• without cost, payment, or charge.

Leaders and churches are giving away these resources (i.e. books, slides, pictures), but not without YOU giving some form of your personal information.  In exchange for the free resource, they ask that you subscribe to their newsletter/website/church by providing your name, e-mail address, etc. These resources are used to lure you to support an organization or person that you would not have previously.  Then, you are subjected to continuous e-mails about their ‘for-profit’ items seeking to make merchandice of you:

2 Peter 2:1-3– But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

The information they gather on you is valuable.  You are a consumer…a number…a potential buyer of their ‘wares.’  If they can determine what you like, they have the hope and desire you would pay for more of the same information.

That free resource does cost you something – your information and time.  Information that one day you would have hoped you wouldn’t have given away.  Look again at the defintions of free above. Should ‘free’ ask you to give anything?

Buyer: The next time you think about signing up for a ‘free’ resource, think about what it will cost you down the road in the future.

Ministry Leader/Church: Free means free…without any strings, sign-ups, or requests.  If the people that desire your resources really  need them, give the resource away without them having to give something in return.  Giving away resources with that purpose allows you to remain focused on helping people without any other motive or intent.  Trust in the Lord to be your provision and do not resort to such tactics of the world.

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