What was the purpose of sale of indulgences during the Renaissance?

So that the church can get more money and followers. The Church at this time was having a hard time getting more followers so they decided to sell indulgences which basically said that if u commit a crime you can still go to Heaven. Luther was the first one to point out that selling indulgences is NOT good and that the Church is wrong. Afterwards other followers started protesting against the church this is known and the protestant.

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--You imply that the Church DID sell indulgences. Individuals within the Church did sell them, but the Church never condoned this, far from it, Simony (selling spiritual things) is a mortal sin of the highest degree.

-Also, the ignoramus above me has no idea what a indulgence is. It can not save you from the fires of hell, but rather shorten your stay in Purgatory, as Jesus gave authority to be done in Math 18:18

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)

(Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.)

It is a unleashing of the treasure trove of mercy stored by Jesus, Mary and all the saints. It is a kind of reward for good works; donations to pay for a Chapel, or convent are perfectly fine, as you can see in 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 (where they donate money)...which Luther removed from The Bible. You can also earn them by saying prayers with indulgences attached for a set number of days, or even reading your bible for at least 30 mins (once per day limit).

-A indulgence ONLY works on sins already forgiven by a Priest, not for future sins.

-Martin Luther was the first to point out (incorrectly) that those who do not follow the teaching of the, are the church.

(He lead a rebellion against the rebels by attacking the people who the rebels were rebelling against -- Makes perfect sense to me!)

Anyway, i hope this helps you, I'm a History major interested in the history of the Church, especially in doctrinal development. Pax Christi.