[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

You ever think it maybe because human nature is wicked, and when you try to do something for God you are going to face opposition?

Could be you're right. But then again, part of the idea of human nature being wicked means that, since you are human, your nature is wicked, too, and wickedness doesn't just act out to abuse, sometimes it acts in, in order to be abused.

So, instead of looking outward to cast blame on the people of God (other humans and their wickedness) and God Himself (trying to do something for God/opposition), it is imperative to examine whether or not you're the only common denominator in all your problems.

For example, you wrote you never suffered such abuse for so little.

Would it matter how much abuse you suffered if you were making $100K? Would it be okay with you then? I mean, how much money do you need to make off the church in order for the abuse to be okay, at least without you making a statement (complaint???) like you did before about so much abuse vs. so little pay?

And if you answer, it's never okay for me to be abused, even for all the money in the world, then why do you put up with it? Why not go to the brother or sister that is mistreating you, and call him or her out on it?

There is nothing in the Scriptures which indicates anyone in the service of God is supposed to politely and quietly suffer abuse at the hands of members of the Body of Christ.

In fact, Paul upbraided the Corinthians for allowing themselves to be abused:

2 Corinthians 11:19-20 (ESV),

19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

Paul was not commending them for this. So, how about you take to task anyone who is abusing you, like Jesus taught:

Matthew 18:15-20 (ESV),

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[f] in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”