Is using God's Word for profit an abomination?
Using God's Word for profit is an abomination in God's sight when the motive is solely to line one's own pockets. Pastors and preachers are due their salaries, but those who exploit the Word for personal financial gain follow the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.
Les teaches that the way of Balaam is marked by loving the wages of unrighteousness. Balaam could not refrain from going back to Moab to curse the people because he saw the wealth he could gain by confusing the issue. Les asks why we do not see the same thing today, noting that many people use the Word of God to line their own pockets. He says this is just as much an abomination in God's sight as anything else—using the Word of God for profit. Les explains he is not taking away from pastors and preachers their due salaries, but he is talking about people who use the Word of God for no other reason than to enhance their own financial status. That, he says, is Balaamism: Balaam was in it for one purpose, to line his own pocket, thinking he could cash in on his talent or gift of divination and enchantments. Les maintains he does not want to take a dime out of this ministry.