Why do they have to cover expenses for the tapes and books?
They must cover expenses for the tapes and books because no one underwrites the ministry, so they cannot rely on outside funding. Although they send materials free to prisoners and missionaries and do not aim to profit, they still must cover printing and postage costs, waiting for the Lord to supply.
Les explains that the tapes and books cost $5.30 from the printer, and they don't send them out for just $0.70 postage. They send them free to prisoners and missionaries. They don't hope to make anything on the tapes and books, but they do have to cover their expenses because no one underwrites them; they just wait for the Lord to supply.