How Is the Bible Study Program Funded if They Never Ask for Money?

Direct Answer

The program is funded through the free-will gifts and offerings of God's people without Les ever begging for money.

Les says the ministry is not supported by any one group or organization and that he has never begged for a dime. He depends 100 percent on the Lord's provision through God's people, and his own full-time work as a rancher helps cover costs. Tapes and books are offered at cost, with some materials given free to prisoners and missionaries.

What Does the Bible Say?

The transcript evidence provided for this question does not include an explicit Scripture quotation about finances. The answer below is therefore drawn entirely from Les Feldick's own explanation of how the ministry operates, rather than from a particular Bible verse. Because this is a question about the ministry's practice, Les speaks from experience rather than from a text in this set of clips.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Ministry Funding?

Les repeatedly explains that the ministry has no underwriter and is not connected with any particular group or organization. He says they depend totally on the support of God's people and that he has never begged for money in their years on television. He adds that if the ministry is in the Lord's business and He wants it to go on, then it will go. Les also makes clear that he and his family absorb many costs themselves: he is a full-time rancher, and his wife Iris handles all the mailing while working full-time as a nurse. Tapes and books are sold at cost, and some are given away free to prisoners and missionaries. Although he does not ask for money, he does say the ministry needs financial help from viewers and depends on free-will offerings.

How Does the Ministry Receive Money Without Asking for It?

Les says they are not supported by any one particular group and depend completely on the support of God's people. He states he has never begged for a dime of money on television and that the Lord has always provided. He is a full-time rancher, and his wife Iris works full-time as a nurse while handling the mailing, so the ministry is not making a profit for them. In later clips, he also says the ministry depends 100 percent on the gifts of God's people and free-will offerings.

What Do the Tapes and Books Cost?

Twelve programs are placed on one six-hour tape, which can be sent postage paid anywhere for $30. Each tape has been transcribed into a little book, and the books can be sent postage paid for $6. Les says they do not try to make anything on them and just want to get the Word out as cheaply as possible. The first booklet is available free, and if someone writes for it without sending an offering, they are told not to apologize.

Does Les Say He Needs Financial Help Despite Not Asking?

Yes. Les says he is constantly reminded that he does not make it plain enough that they do need financial help from the viewing audience. He explains that no one underwrites them, and they just barely pay their bills, with the Lord always providing. He says he has never asked for money and hopes he never has to, but he is dependent upon the gifts and free-will offerings of God's people.

From the Teaching

Why Christians Are Divided — 1 Corinthians 3 Explained Verse by Verse

Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.

Funding from God's people rather than an organization

Les states that the ministry is not supported by a particular group and has never begged for money; it depends on the support of God's people and the Lord's provision.

Low-cost or free materials

Les says they don't attempt to make anything on materials and offers a free booklet, not expecting an offering, to get the Word out.

Tape and book costs plus free prison and missionary distribution

Six-hour tapes are $30 and book transcriptions are $6, postage paid, while prisoners and missionaries receive books free.

Dependence on free-will gifts

Les says the ministry depends 100 percent on gifts of God's people and that if it is the Lord's business and He wants it to go on, it will, so he doesn't beg.

Admission of financial need

Even though he never asks for money, Les says the ministry does need financial help from viewers; he is a full-time rancher, and tapes are sold at cost with postage paid out of their own pocket.

Personal payment of postage and phone costs

Les explains that postage increases forced them to raise the tape price slightly, and they have paid the 800-number phone bill themselves rather than charging the ministry.

No underwriter and thanks for support

Les says no organization underwrites them and they are totally dependent on the Lord to lay it on people's hearts to help; he thanks the audience for their support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Les Feldick ever ask for money on the program?

No. Les says he has never begged for a dime of money in their years on television and hopes he never has to. Instead, he depends on gifts from God's people and the Lord's provision.

How much do the tapes and books cost?

A six-hour tape containing 12 programs costs $30 postage paid, and each transcribed booklet costs $6 postage paid. They try to keep costs low and do not try to make a profit.

Are prisoners and missionaries charged for materials?

No. Les says people in prison who write for the books receive them free, and missionaries who want to use them overseas also receive them free.

If he never asks for money, does the ministry still need financial help?

Yes. Les says he is constantly reminded that he doesn't make it plain enough that they do need financial help. The ministry depends 100 percent on free-will gifts and offerings, and he thanks people for their support.

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Watch the Teaching: Why Christians Are Divided — 1 Corinthians 3 Explained Verse by Verse