Extravagant Ministerial Lifestyle

KeptByTheWord · #1 03-02-2014, 11:41 AM

Does your minister/pastor/preacher/elder/bishop... or whoever leads your local assembly... live among the people, or does he live above the lifestyle, and class of the people he leads?

Just read this article this morning, addressing this issue, albeit in the Catholic church.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/03/02...rsey-faithful/

Is this a similar mindset (to a lesser or greater degree) present within the ranks of the assembly you attend?

ILG · #2 03-02-2014, 12:57 PM

I never understood people in the ministry living lavishly. Or the acceptance of it. It seems like an oxymoron.

My first pastor was a great example in this. He is no doubt a millionaire, but never lived high at all. He was very modest and frugal. I respect this deeply. He gave thousands to foreign missionaries every year.

The church we took later (after being in home missions), the pastor and his wife had lived lavishly, and the church books had been cooked. (Oh, and we got blamed for that!)

KeptByTheWord · #3 03-02-2014, 03:10 PM

I, too, have witnessed both ends of the spectrum. I have known men that would not use one red penny of money given to the work of the Lord for any reason other than its intended purpose. I know about 3 of those men, personally, interacting with them in a way as to know that to be truth in their lives.

Unfortunately, on the other end of the spectrum, I know far, far many more who look at a church as way to make a living, and take all the pennies they can get to support their lavish lifestyle, while continuing to beg and grieve the souls of the church people to give and give and give until they are broken, while the preacher cruises around the world, goes on lavish vacations, lives in a home much like a mansion in contrast to the general populace of the church... and I could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture.

The article articulates a problem, not only in the Catholic church, but in all other denominations too.

ILG · #4 03-02-2014, 03:57 PM

Yes, it's a sickness. The people need to learn to "just say no"!!

CC1 · #5 03-02-2014, 04:30 PM

I have always felt a pastor should limit themselves to one Rolls Royce or Bentley unless one is a convertible of course. Then a case could be made for having two.

On a serious note I adhere to the belief that what is moderate is on a floating scale up to a point. A pastor in a dirt poor farming community or inner city should be careful to remain one of the people by not living a lifestyle extravagantly above that of his flock.

By the same token the pastor of a church in a very affluent community should take care not to exceed the principle of moderation by living too extravagantly just because some of his church does.

If the pastor of a poor church lords over the tithe to support a certain lifestyle that is far above his church members and at the expense of both the physical upkeep and ministry of the church I believe he is sinning and will answer to God. For that pastor to have a 3,500 square foot brick home and two nice cars it might well not be moderation while for many larger churches in more affluent communities those cars and homes would indeed be moderation.

In no instance do I believe a balanced view of the New Testament supports the heresy of the "prosperity gospel" teaching. That truly is the word of God being twisted to justify the desires of man. Do I think God wants everybody to be dirt poor and struggling financially? Of course not! But neither do I think it is God's will that we all drive Cadillacs and live in mansions.

Disciple4life · #6 03-02-2014, 04:58 PM

Ezek 34

2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Everybody should read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 34.

It sounds like we got a lot of things backwards!

jediwill83 · #7 03-03-2014, 06:33 AM

Oooh now you gone to meddlin! Lol

Sister Alvear · #8 03-03-2014, 07:00 AM

I think there should be balance....balance in everything....

obriencp · #9 03-03-2014, 09:54 AM

I can see arguments to both sides. I guess it depends on the attitude of the Pastor and whether or not they are an example of generosity.

On one hand they should not be boastful in how they live or take advantage of the saints. The Pastor and church should help in the community, but not become a crutch to those who continually fall prey to their own wrong doings. If you're saved and become wealthy because God has blessed you, are you supposed to share everything you've earned with someone who is not a good steward of their finances? Maybe a few times, but they shouldn't always be bailing people out.

On the other hand, some people would be motivated to also become wealthy if they see an example of how one could live and still be saved. I'm not a huge fan of the prosperity movement, but at the same time we shouldn't demonize people who have done well for themselves. We often judge the wealthy and have no idea the pain and struggles someone went through to get to where they're at.

in society and in the church you'll have some people that want to succeed and some that are happy just to scrape by. Most people will fall somewhere into the middle where they aren't wholly given to God's perfect will, but are doing what they need to for them to be comfortable financially and spiritually.

I don't see anything wrong with the Pastor living above the means of the rest as long as they're honest and have shown generosity. Unless you're a Pastor, you have no idea the struggles they have to face.

CC1 · #10 03-03-2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obriencp

I

On the other hand, some people would be motivated to also become wealthy if they see an example of how one could live and still be saved. I'm not a huge fan of the prosperity movement, but at the same time we shouldn't demonize people who have done well for themselves. We often judge the wealthy and have no idea the pain and struggles someone went through to get to where they're at.

Demonizing the prosperity movement has absolutely no relation to demonizing people who have done well for themselves. The first is heresy. The second, if done correctly is wonderful, particuarly if they use their gifting for being successful in business to benefit the kingdom of God.