Supply and Demand

We all know that this title relates to the offering of a product to the consumer. For example, if there is a huge demand for a certain tool, then a company will do what they can to supply that need. On the flip side, if there is very little interest, there would be no need to supply that need. This is why businesses come and go. Those that survive have found a product that continues to be in the demand.

So, just how do we get excited in spreading the gospel, when Jesus Himself stated that there won’t be much of a demand for it (Matt. 7:13-14)? The answer is simple. Even though many people don’t want the truth, there is a huge need because everyone needs it (Mk. 16:15). Unlike any business today, people can live without whatever new invention comes along. However, everyone NEEDS the gospel whether they believe it or not.

The danger comes when you lose sight of what people need in favor of what people want. Let’s face it, if someone knew that lots of people wanted a product that isn’t available, they would do what they can to make it. Sadly, in the religious realm, you have those who have decided to preach what people want rather than what they need. This is exactly what Timothy was warned not to do (II Tim. 4:2-5). 

There is a reason why there are so many religious groups today, and why more and more churches of Christ have drifted away from the pattern in God’s word, it’s called supply and demand.  People have lost sight of what man really needs. This should not surprise us. We see it in that way people are raising their children. Kids are getting anything they want, because it is easier to let them decide what’s best for them. How sad that is!

This reminds me of the mindset of Israel of old when everyone did right in his or her own eyes (Judges 21:25).  Mankind would do well to remember the words of Jeremiah when he stated, “It’s not within man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jer. 10:23). Yet, that’s exactly what you see in the religious realm. People starting their own sects, creating their own doctrines; designing “better” and more appealing worship. This may supply the demand, but our God demands we stop supplying their wants!

Paul admonished Timothy with these words, “remain in Ephesus that you charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” (I Tim. 1L3). Why Paul? Those teachers are having some “good” results. That’s just the problem, people think that any sort of success is God approved. It’s as if the Lord is interested more in quantity than quality. That is simply not the case. If anything, it is the opposite. Oh, yes, our Lord is not willing that any perish (II Pet. 3:9), but that desire of wanting everyone saved doesn’t mean He will overlook sin.

The interest in the quality is taught over and over in scripture. When it comes to worship, it is to be done in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). The doctrine taught must ONLY be the doctrine of Christ (II Jn. 9). There is also no better church that the one Jesus built with His own blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16). It simply doesn’t matter to the Lord if His people are the few. After all, the Lord is not there to please man, it is man that must please the Lord (Heb. 11:6). Take note that pleasing self doesn’t necessarily mean it is pleasing to the Lord.

Looking at things from the Lord’s standpoint in examining supply and demand, saints should be motivated to do all they can. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few (Matt. 9:37). This is why we find the Christians in the early church, when persecuted, went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). Was there a large demand for the gospel? Yes, even if people didn’t want it. The key thing is that there are people looking for the truth and that is a demand that needs to be supplied. Are you doing what you can to supply that need? For people to find what they seek (Matt. 7:7), there needs to be children of God there pointing the way to Christ.

                                                                                            Chuck

I held a Bible class this week with one of the viewers of our TV program. They were shocked to hear that the Bible does not teach anything about the “Rapture”, “Christ reigning on earth for 1000 years” or “the future battle of Armageddon.” You can guess the subjects they wanted to study in the next class.

This article is not about those topics per se. (I wrote a bulletin article several months back about 40 things people think are found in the Bible but are not – contact us if you want a copy of that). Rather, this article is about the fact that people are convinced certain things are in the Bible that are not.

How do religious people become convinced that the Bible contains ideas that it truthfully does not? These people own Bibles, after all! In some cases, they simply have not studied. What about those who truly want to please God though? What else could derail their efforts?

1. Allowing teachers to be general with their teaching. Much of the false doctrine taught today sounds Biblical. For example, many religious leaders have been known to say that “Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace.” That sounds like it is scriptural, but it is not a phrase found in the Bible! We must demand a “thus saith the Lord” (Col. 3:17).
    
2. Allowing doubts to rest on the confidence of their teachers. I realize people have different levels of knowledge and familiarity with the Bible. However, this does not mean that we should simply accept anything a religious teacher says. I was once told the following in a Bible class: “My preacher spoke on that topic. I don’t remember what he said, but I am certain he spoke the truth on that.” It is our duty to search the scriptures to verify the things we are being taught (Acts 17:11).
    
3. Allowing ourselves to believe that teachers will be accountable for inaccurate teaching but not students. If the blind lead the blind, both fall (Matt. 15:14). Yes, those who teach error with be punished. This does not let those who believe lies off the hook either those. We are all accountable to God.

                                                                                             Chuck 

It doesn’t make you a false teacher 

 The apostle Paul, like the other apostles, found himself being falsely accused. It can be very frustrating for anyone who has people attack their character with accusations that are not true. On top of that, what makes it worse is when people believe it. The reason these evil doers have success, is because they poison the minds of folks (Acts 14:2). Those who teach God’s word, are not guilty simply because they… 

…have confidence in what they say

Just because someone speaks with conviction, it doesn’t automatically mean they are arrogant and wrong in what they say. Having said that, we must, at the same time interject that being confident in what you believe doesn’t mean you are automatically right (Acts 18:24-26). But back to our first point. There are those who react negatively to someone who speaks with certainty. This does not make a person false teacher. As a matter of fact, one ought to be a little apprehensive to believe someone who is unsure (II Tim. 4:2-5).

…expose those in opposition

It seems politically correct for individuals to stand for something, without standing against. Such should not be the case religiously. How can you stand for truth without standing against error? I know it makes people mad when someone tells them they are wrong, but it doesn’t make someone a false teacher simply because they point the finger (Psa. 119:104; I Jn. 4:1).

…don’t create a grey area

Faithful teachers get themselves in all kinds of hot water when they speak in absolutes. It’s easy to accuse someone by labeling them to others by uttering, “It’s their way or the highway!”  In truth, it is to be the Lord’s way, regardless. The gospel doesn’t leave any wiggle room for those who want to tweak it a little (Gal. 1:6-9; II Jn. 9). When you say that there is but one way, you will find yourself in hot water pretty quick.  The fact is, it doesn’t make you a false teacher when you are uncompromising.

…changed their beliefs

This was the very tactic they used on Paul. They wondered how this person who once persecuted those who followed Christ, now preached Christ (Acts 9:21,23). Just because someone changed what he once believed, doesn’t mean they are a false teacher. It wouldn’t make sense to for someone who realized they were wrong, to change and not share the reasons why. It seems proper to tell others why you changed.

…accepted money for preaching

Knowing that there are plenty of false teachers that are making mega amounts of money for their work, understandably, people are turned off of religion because of that. However, for someone who preaches the gospel and accepts a living wage, it doesn’t mean they are automatically a false teacher. Godly men can accept a wage, just as they did in New Testament times (II Cor. 11:8; I Tim. 5:18). Those who are in it for the money, do so for all the wrong reasons.

…are accused by other teachers

One is not qualified to say someone else is wrong, just because they claim to be someone special. The religious leaders in Christ’s time swayed the people simply because they were “teachers” (Matt. 27:15-26).  Since when is it acceptable for false teachers to accuse, but not be accused? The truth is, there are good reasons to find fault, but these six facts don’t prove anything automatically.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Chuck