Show Me the Money

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Has anyone besides me noticed the ONLY worry seems if the preacher has too much NEVER if he has too little????????????????????????

Most pastors I have known have sacrificed for years and done without and their families did without and was glad to do it for the Kingdom and no one ever fusses about the suits-shirts-dresses they bought at Goodwill, the retread tires on their cars, the fund raising their wives did. The jobs these pastors held down while trying to build a church. The puttting in of their last nickle to make sure a church bill was paid or an evangelist-missionary got a decent offering. How their car became the church bus. Some lived in the church building itself for a season.

But let the same man who laboured and struggled to bring a church to where it is financially strong-nice sanctuary-etc. And the man start to enjoy some of the fruit of his labour and he is a money hungry preacher looking out for number one. NOT trying to pat my self on the back but I have paid saints' rent-utility bills-car payments-paid for their children to go to youth camps. I don't know any saints that have done the same for other saints except in very rare cases.
But I am suppose to feel crooked or not a good steward if I buy a suit off the rack or my wife buys a new dress that really wasn't on sale, or my house is a decent home to live in? My car doors stay closed without baling wire?
I did not take the oath of poverty though I am willing to live on what God gives me no matter how less it is without complaint I have proved that to God and myself. But I also am going to be thankful and enjoy the good times God has let come my way. Remember ONE message or ONE church problem can change everything overnight.

Good post, Brother Epley.

I keep remembering the story you told about the carpet in your house back on AFF. Amazing at how people can be.

[SDG]

Elder ... my Dad put his life, sweat, tears and even ignored his own personal health for the Kingdom and the sheep he loved. No one is asking a pastor to take an oath of poverty ... but to ask them to be fiscally responsible and show moderation is not too much to ask ... since it is what they also demand of their saints ...

for most of his ministry dad was bi-vocational ... working as a pastor and an x-ray technician .... mom worked full-time since age 16 ....

Dad did not take all of the tithe ... and is was his right ... he chose to take a moderate salary which pales to the income most ministers w/ smaller churches flaunt... the rest of the church revenue was invested into the work of God locally, nationally and internationally and some saved ... for many years .... allowing the church to purchase a building next door prior to his death w/o putting unnecessary strain of the flock.

The scenario Jeff brings up is poignant and indicative of the mentality some in the ministry have ... the fictitious minister of this church would be irresponsible to take all of this tithe ... and not re-invest it in a church that apparently needs resources and an influx of ideas and resources would be selfish, short-sighted, and stealing from God.

[SDG]

The Apostle Paul reached thousands yet he was bi-vocational also for at least a portion of his ministry ...

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Good post, Brother Epley.

I keep remembering the story you told about the carpet in your house back on AFF. Amazing at how people can be.

Yes again not boasting but I rolled the carpet off my floor and sold it to a saint to pay the evangelist and the saint was glad to get it. Not complaining I have carpet today so God blessed me. My gift was to HIM he keeps good books. I am blessed much more than I am worth or deserve. I deserve a pup tent by a creek bed and to ride a bycycle. But somewhere along the line God has took a liking to me and has blessed me I KNOW it can change tomorrow but if it does He gave and He can take away. I have been bountifully blessed. I live in a beautiful home and drive a nice car but if God says leave tomorrow I am out of here I belong to HIM not things. My love affair is with the Giver not the gifts. Have I ever been unwise NO doubt but I happen to pastor saints that sometimes are not the brightest either in financial judgments. I have been abased and have abounded God was real in both places. We have lived in the church and did not complain. Soi why should I hang my head now?????? To me it would insult God and show unthankfulness for His goodness to me. I am blessed full and empty. He is exalted.

[Jehoram]

Funny how history can serve us sometimes.



On a separate note, I agree Elder Epley. I know of no minister in my area or state who lives in anything close to excess. They all give and give and give.

I am one of those who lived in the church and paid all of the church bills out of my own pocket. I ain't a gonna feel guilty now that the church pays me.

I'm thankful and not ashamed to be honored monetarily.

[Jehoram]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

The Apostle Paul reached thousands yet he was bi-vocational also for at least a portion of his ministry ...

What about you Dan? Have you pastored and worked a secular job to boot?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Yes again not boasting but I rolled the carpet off my floor and sold it to a saint to pay the evangelist and the saint was glad to get it. Not complaining I have carpet today so God blessed me. My gift was to HIM he keeps good books. I am blessed much more than I am worth or deserve. I deserve a pup tent by a creek bed and to ride a bycycle. But somewhere along the line God has took a liking to me and has blessed me I KNOW it can change tomorrow but if it does He gave and He can take away. I have been bountifully blessed. I live in a beautiful home and drive a nice car but if God says leave tomorrow I am out of here I belong to HIM not things. My love affair is with the Giver not the gifts. Have I ever been unwise NO doubt but I happen to pastor saints that sometimes are not the brightest either in financial judgments. I have been abased and have abounded God was real in both places. We have lived in the church and did not complain. Soi why should I hang my head now?????? To me it would insult God and show unthankfulness for His goodness to me. I am blessed full and empty. He is exalted.

That is a wonderful attitude elder, and I am glad that God has blessed you in many ways!!

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

How many of the preachers taking the entire tithe .... are allocating some to the widows and orphans???

Thank you, HeadMaster Daniel, for sharing that awesome lesson on tithing...that is worth printing out and putting in respository!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Yes again not boasting but I rolled the carpet off my floor and sold it to a saint to pay the evangelist and the saint was glad to get it. Not complaining I have carpet today so God blessed me. My gift was to HIM he keeps good books. I am blessed much more than I am worth or deserve. I deserve a pup tent by a creek bed and to ride a bicycle. But somewhere along the line God has took a liking to me and has blessed me I KNOW it can change tomorrow but if it does He gave and He can take away. I have been bountifully blessed. I live in a beautiful home and drive a nice car but if God says leave tomorrow I am out of here I belong to HIM not things. My love affair is with the Giver not the gifts. Have I ever been unwise NO doubt but I happen to pastor saints that sometimes are not the brightest either in financial judgments. I have been abased and have abounded God was real in both places. We have lived in the church and did not complain. Soi why should I hang my head now?????? To me it would insult God and show unthankfulness for His goodness to me. I am blessed full and empty. He is exalted.

Thank you. This was nice to read this late at night after all the threads going on today! lol!

The emboldened is what keeps the balance in everything.

God Bless!

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

What about you Dan? Have you pastored and worked a secular job to boot?

Irrelevant ... isn't it AE? ... I applaud all bi-vocational pastors ... it's the leeches that need a lesson in moderation ... a buzzword used to beat folks up about their outward dress ... but it should apply to many aspects of our spiritual and financial lives