“For we are not as the majority, who are peddling the word of God...”
(2 Corinthians 2:17)
(2 Corinthians 2:17)
Here is Strong’s definition of the word "peddling" used above:
2585 kapēleúō – properly, to act as an unscrupulous merchant, i.e. "a huckster" who profits by "peddling the Word of God" for personal gain. 2585 /kapēleúō ("peddler") is only used in 2 Cor 2:17 – of people "marketing the ministry" (the Word of God) for fast gain.
"There are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain" (Titus 1:10-11)
We should help those who have no family that can help them, only IF we have excess over what is needed to take care of our own family and those dependent on us, like employees!
"Now if anyone is not providing for his own, and especially for his family, he has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)
"For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you may be wanting, you can always do well to them..." (Mark 14:7)
Hucksters want you to think that giving to their various ministries is giving to God, and promise gifts to them will come back to you "squeezed down and shaken together, and running over". However, it is my observation that giving to them simply makes them rich, and those who depend on you poorer.
The Bible tells me that if you give to hucksters when your family has unmet needs, you have "disowned the faith".