I’m going to try to keep my thoughts relatively short on this issue and let the scriptures speak on this topic, as God does a much better job then I, in relaying His perspective. As always I would encourage any reader to really delve into the scriptures.
Disclaimer: I want to be clear, to those readers who attend the same church as I do, that my opinions are based on conversations with other brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as my own personal experiences in several different churches. I am not specifically addressing concerns I have with my current church. I’m addressing concerns I have with the current American church, in general, and the mega churches more specifically.
I’ve heard so many sermons about money and many times it seems as though Jesus gets lost in the fray. I am told to be a good steward of my money, but not really taught how to use this to glorify Jesus. I am told to tithe as much as I can, and sometimes beyond, but not told why. I am told all this by pastors who lead churches which are cranking in the money without seemingly any accountability. Where is this money being spent? Expansion projects? A big new church building with the churches web site plastered all over it? Better bulletins, or should I say programs (Nice programs so we can all feel like we just attended a very entertaining sporting event, but that’s another article)? Hipper/louder concert/worship music? How much money do these pastors make, in total (book sales, speaking engagements, church salary)? What is the biblical model for how we should spend our money?
I checked two mega church’s websites to see if I could readily find some information on how much money the staff, primarily the senior pastor, receives. Nothing! I believe every church (especially the mega churches) should clearly publish where the tithes and donations are going and how much is going to the staff wages, especially the senior pastor. I also believe the senior pastor should willingly publish his total yearly income. This is to everyone’s benefit. If the pastor is leading a righteous life, with regards to the stewardship of his money, then it is an encouragement to the congregation to do the same. For example, if a senior pastor has a total yearly income of say $100,000 and gives away ½, or more, of it (tithing and charities), this will be an encouragement for the congregation to do the same, especially when he gives the ‘tithing’ sermon. A legitimate case could be made against this particular opinion of mine, however, at the very least, any believer should agree the senior pastor NEEDS to be held accountable by several folks (preferably the unpaid elders of the church) and these folks need to know his total yearly income and how he’s spending it (1Tim 3:2). Also the following scripture comes to mind:
1 Peter 5: 1-3
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
The verses at the end of this article clearly point out how evil the love of money is. If you notice the prophet Balaam is mentioned in 3 separate books of the NT (listed below) and none of these references are good. Balaam is used as a model for the false prophet who seeks wealth and not God. Balaam was wicked because he believed in God, but directly disobeyed Him and didn’t hold to His teachings or His will. This brought destruction, not only to himself, but to those who sought his counsel and/or services.
Concerning false prophets and their love of money, God has given us all a brain, but more than that He’s provided His word which is full of all things good (joy, encouragement, instruction, love and wisdom). I encourage all believers to read His word. Read about our glorious Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Read His teachings. In light of these teachings and in light of the love of the Father expressed through His son Jesus Christ, humbly pray for discernment enough to tell the man of God from the Balaam’s of this world. However, pray for Jesus’ bride (the church) and pray for humbleness and love in your heart so that you can pray for these men once you’ve recognized them. That God may yet reveal to them that He is the Lord. That He may yet have mercy on them, as He did with Nineveh (Book of Jonah) and Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:33-37).
An interesting email I received:
Subject: Consider before you donate
As you open your pockets for yet another natural disaster, keep these facts in mind:
Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross salary for year ending 06/30/03 was $651,957 plus expenses.
Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way receives a $375,000 base salary, plus numerous expense benefits.
The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.
No further comment necessary
Pertinent scripture:
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (New International Version)
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Mark 10:23-25
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Luke 8:14
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear (the word), but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
1 Timothy 6:3-12
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Concerning Balaam
For reference see Numbers 22-24
2 Peter 2 (concerning false prophets/teachers in the likeness of Balaam who sought material wealth for his prophecies)
Jude 1 (concerning godless men, also in the likeness of Balaam who sought material wealth for his prophecies)
Revelation 2:12-17
"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Encouragement:
Isaiah 55:1-2
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Matthew 6:20
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
