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The Bible states, “The love of money is the root of all evil”. (I Timothy 6:10 KJV). Anyone reading this scripture can clearly see that the key words are “love of”. This is an entirely different concept than the one propagated by many churches that “money is evil”.

It is the “love of money”, or the “lust for money”, in my view, that is evil. Everyone needs money to survive. We go to work, we get money. We go to the store, we give money. Nearly everything we do in our day-to-day existence is driven by money, or the lack of it.

Many of today's Christians have adopted the philosophy that poverty is Christ like. It is not. Having the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, that's being Christ like. Nowhere do I find the scripture that equates poverty with being a good Christian.

Having said that, I want to approach the subject that seems to be the “Achilles' Heel” of most Southern Gospel artists, in particular, the newer artists…. ASKING FOR MONEY.

For some reason, many of our artists have bought into the erroneous teaching that being compensated financially when you minister means that you are not in this for the right reason. I have seen some very sincere groups be made to feel like they are on the brink of hell because they have asked for money to cover their expenses and make a living. Yet, these same preachers and music directors who harshly and pompously judge these singing groups are all too willing to shake a “glad hand” for presiding over a funeral or a wedding. I have very little regard for churches that treat our artists in this manner.

Why is it wrong for a Southern Gospel artist to ask for a specified amount for ministering, but okay for a preacher to get a check every week? How many Pastors would stay on the job if they had to pay their personal finances from a love offering?

The Apostle Paul addresses this very subject, “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward”. (I Timothy 5:18 KJV). If you leave the warm confines of your home to go somewhere and minister in song you have a scriptural right to receive fair compensation. That means your travel expenses should be covered and you should receive either a good love offering or a pre-determined sum on top of that. You are not “lost in sin and going to hell” for asking for what is scriptural.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

As my wife Cece is eager to remind me, there are two sides to every story, so here is the other side. The sad reality is that there are some Southern Gospel artists that provide no value that is worth being paid for. I realize that I'm in perilous waters here, but the truth is the truth and that's what I deal in. In the free enterprise system that we all live in, it is the seller's responsibility to make the product appealing to the buyer. This is true in automobiles, homes, lawnmowers, washers, dryers, and every other commodity you can name. It is also true in Southern gospel music. Before you, as an artist, can expect payment for your services, you have a duty to make your product (your singing) appealing. From this perspective I come down on the side of the Pastors. No church should have to pay to sit through an hour of bad singing. They can get that for free by listening to some of these artists on the radio.

You also have an obligation to conduct you affairs in a business-like manner. The number one rule of any enterprise, whether it's planning a family budget or running a business, is to take in more money than you spend. Many families are experiencing financial difficulties because they can't live by this rule, and many Southern Gospel artists are struggling financially for the very same reason. If it costs you $100.00 to go somewhere to sing and you come home with $50.00, you have violated this most basic rule. On the other hand, if you don't know that it cost you $100.00, you'll think you made fifty bucks. You'll still go broke, but you'll be happy. And, if this happens to your group on a continuing basis, you may want to ask yourself if you're simply being paid what you're worth.

Do you know how much it costs per mile for your group to travel, including fuel, food, and lodging? If not, you'd better get busy and figure it out because you'll have a difficult time succeeding financially if you don't know what your expenses are. How can you ask a pastor for expenses if you don't know what they are? Pastors respect good business practices. It tells them you are on top of your game and it also is a good indication that you will do a good job for him. If you run into a “fuddy duddy” that makes you feel like a heathen because you asked for money, shake the dust off your feet and find a church that operates according to biblical principals, and also ask yourself what it is about your group or your approach to the pastor that could use some improvement. Admittedly it is much easier to ask for money when they call you than it is when you call them, which is all the more reason to get your singing to the level that you are in demand. However, what I am trying to address in this article is the prevailing theory among many of our artists that being paid for singing somehow makes you less of a Christian.

Pastors are just like you and me. They want to know what they're getting, and they're concerned about the cost. Many groups believe that when they say, “we don't charge for our singing, we'll come for whatever you give us” that somehow that elevates them in the eyes of the pastor and defines them as being spiritual. Why not just take your group to a downtown street corner and hold up a sign that says, “WILL SING FOR FOOD”?

In my view, any artist that takes this approach is not really serious about their ministry, and I suppose that's okay, since there are lots of churches that are willing to accept groups of this caliber. However, you cannot operate a successful ministry without MONEY. If you are serious about your ministry you will have to learn how to operate like a business.

In the world of sales, many salesmen fail because they can never learn how to ask for the sale.

Any politician knows that at some point you have to ask for the vote.

And you, dear friend, must learn how to ask for the money.

As always, I welcome your comments.

God Bless You,

Nick Bruno

Reader Comments

I totally agree with your article. I have to admit that I am one of those Artist that is afraid of asking for money. I find my self asking the Lord to send me money for my music ministry and then find myself trying to give back the money that I get. I finnally realized last week that if I keep returning money, my prayer will not be answered. One thing that made me realize this is I was singing at a church and another group was suppose to sing also that night. When the group did not show up, I got the whole Love offering given to me. I realized then what I have been doing. I still only work on love offerings and not a set price.

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