35. The 'gravy train'
The ministry in many places worldwide has become a 'gravy train'...some call it getting into 'the river of God'...others call it living in 'the blessing'
Many preach that their congegations should be giving to 'God'....and then live as though the money which is given (including the 'widows mite') is theirs to do with what they want. The money given in most cases in the bible was given for the POOR....in some cases for itinerant apostles....but NEVER for church organisations other than to FEED the widows and the needy.
(The apostles even got the church members ie the givers ...to appoint their OWN deacons to administer the money...they did not treat it as theirs to spend as they wanted or even use it for a "wage" or ministry expenses ...Acts 6:3, Acts 3:6)
They claim to be 'building the kingdom of God' but Jesus said "My kingdom is NOT of this world" Buildings & money certainly ARE!
They tell their congregations to trust God and to give in faith that God will supply their needs ...while they themselves do NOT trust God to supply their own needs through the freewill giving of the church. (This IS proven by the fact that they are prepared to preach deceptions such as 'storehouse money tithing', sacrifices and offerings, sowing and reaping, honoring the prophet, etc so that they can get the money). God speaks of this situation in Jeremiah
Jer 6:12-13
For I will stretch out My hand
Against the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD.
13 "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them,
Everyone is given to covetousness;
And from the prophet even to the priest,
Everyone deals falsely. NKJV
The church leadership today is in many places living a life totally contrary to what the bible tells us is God's way for ministers
Matt 8:20
20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." NKJV
The apostle Peter demonstrated Jesus teaching in his ministries
Acts 3:6
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." NKJV
Note that this event occurred after the people had sold their houses and given the money....BUT the money was distributed for the NEEDS of the VISITING converts...not for the benefit of the preachers or their 'ministry expenses'
Paul demonstrated an integrity almost unheard of today
2 Cor 12:14
And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. NKJV
John taught and practiced the same
3 John 8
Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. NKJV
Paul was an apostle....with the 'right of support'.....yet he chose to be a giver...and not a taker because this is what JESUS taught.
Acts 20:33-35
33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' NKJV
This is the example Paul commands us to follow.....why is this MUST being ignored by almost all ministers today?
2 Thess 3:6-10
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. NKJV
Apostles were NOT the high flying big shots of the church......they were the CHIEF SERVANTS!
1 Cor 4:9-13
9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. NKJV
Matt 20:27-28
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." NKJV
If this type of apostle exists in the world today he is certainly not seen on so-called 'christian' TV
Many itinerant preachers want to have their own jets... or fly first class....staying in delux hotel suites...and receiving huge 'honorariums' before they will preach.
Self proclaimed apostles today seek to be honored above others....many visibly know nothing of hunger .....and are certainly not poorly dressed. Most are located in churches rather than being itinerant and have houses of greater value than most of the people they minister to (as they speak of the 'blessing of God' on their lives).
Brethren can you not see that something is very wrong with this picture?
Many are fleecing the flock....and feeding themselves.
1 Peter 5:2-3
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. KJV
Very few 'pastors' seem prepared to minister if salaries are not offered.
Luke 16:13
13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." NKJV
This passage IS addressed to MINISTERS...not to the sheep.
The very word minister is derived from the Greek word for servant being 'daikonos'....It is distinguished from a slave who may work against his will...and a hireling who works for wages (Zondervan Bible Dictionary)
Matt 10:7-8
7 And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. NKJV
It has even reached the situation where in Benny Hinn crusades the congregations are pressured to make 'faith offerings' BEFORE the preaching and ministry to the sick. This is done because the ministers who pursue money seldom truly deliver the ministry of the kingdom.
Why will preachers not honestly address the question of what the only wages were that Jesus said they were worthy of?
Matt 10:7-12
And as you go, preach, saying,'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. 11 "Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. NKJV
The wages in the 'first mention'...and in every other reference ...are clearly identified as HOSPITALITY!
None of the apostles or even Jesus himself were EVER paid a salary to preach!
When will the church leadership begin to DEMONSTRATE the LOVE and the CHARACTER of Jesus....instead of the greed of the world?
Preachers today the world is saying to you ..."When I see a real man of God who lives the life of Jesus THEN I will believe"
because
"If you are not prepared to tell me the truth when it comes to money how can i trust you to tell me the truth about God"
(If you chose to reject the message.... ask yourself if you feel better for questioning my integrity and walk with God...as you ignore the clear demands of the scriptures.
I chose with Abram ....and Elisha....to say :-
Gen 14:22-23
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich' NKJV
2 Kings 5:14
"As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing." NKJV
Jesus is asking....."Will you match Abram's integrity?"......because that is where the 'river of God' starts (Gen 12:2-3)....ie when we trust GOD for the provision of blessings rather than getting the money by deception or even extortion which results from preaching false doctrines to His children)
I refuse to take 'freely given' money ...and ask that it is given to the POOR ...what do you do?
I refuse to put a 'donate here' button on this site ...or sell anything ... or charge anything for ministering ... what do you do?