“What is the line between being abundantly blessed and being humble? I have a friend that is so put off by other pastors who seem to be reaping massive financial benefits from the church. How can I help him understand how to recognize where the right and wrong is, and help him understand that not all Christian pastors lead the same way, even though all claim to follow Jesus? Basically, shouldn’t the mega churches be blessing their community more than their pastors?”
Before I answer the question, I want to provide some biblical clarification regarding the term “pastor” used in the question. The Bible teaches us that the terms pastor, elder, shepherd, overseer, and bishop are interchangeable, representing the same individual. I assume the person asking the question is referring to the congregation's preacher, minister, or evangelist. It is a common biblical error by many well-meaning people to refer to these individuals as pastors. For clarification purposes, I will use the general term “servant leader” in referring to the individual in the question.
Now to answer the question. There is nothing wrong with a Christian, whether a servant leader or not, to have possessions, as long as their possessions do not possess them. That would also mean that they are generous toward others and open to contributing to other ministries or causes, as the Holy Spirit leads them. Jesus made it clear why a rich person would have difficulty entering the kingdom of heaven. It is too easy to begin trusting in one’s money, more than trusting in God. Jesus taught that a person cannot serve two masters, such as God and money. Sooner or later, that person will choose the one over the other. He said that they would actually come to the place where they would love the one, and hate the other. If this happens, money has become their idol.
Every Christian should do their best to glorify God and to try to see that whatever they do is for God’s glory. Nothing we have really belongs to us, nor can we take it with us when we leave this world. We are simply charged as a steward of what God blesses us with, we are either a just or unjust steward. Here are some verses telling us what a servant leader should be, among other things, please note the words, noble, self-controlled, and not a lover of money.
1Ti 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
1Ti 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1Ti 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
People getting rich from the fears of others or the insecurities of others is nothing new as Acts 8 teaches. Simon the sorcerer exemplifies both the motivation of these types of people and the rebuke of their selfish desire to pursue the abilities of others for their profit. The misuse of the purpose of spiritual gifts for personal enrichment or self-promotion is demonstrated clearly in Acts 14:12 and Acts 10:26.
It is important to realize that it is not a sin to be wealthy. The ancient patriarchs Job, Abraham, and King Solomon were all very wealthy. In fact, God made them wealthy (Job 42:12-16; Genesis 12:1-3; 13:2; 1 Kings 3:10-14). God’s action simply proves that being wealthy is not wrong or God would not have done that.
In addition to these examples in the Old Testament, God tells wealthy Christians in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to handle their wealth properly:
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim 6:17-19.)
There are some poor people who are controlled by money just as much as some rich people. Also, there are people who give their money to others without regard to how much they own. Having money is not the issue. The issue is our heart’s attitude toward the money that God has given us.
In the following verse, notice that the ownership of money is not the root of evil. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil:
“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim 6:10”.)
A New Testament principle is that those who receive spiritual benefits from the gospel ministry must be willing to support their servant leaders (Acts 20:33–34; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:7–9). Even though Paul had turned down the financial assistance of the Corinthians, he insists that it is his God-given right to receive payment for the work he does in the church. Already in 1 Corinthians, he rooted this practice in the Israelites’ material support of the priests and Levites: “Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:13–14).
This principle means that it is still incumbent on churches today to faithfully support the gospel ministry being done in their midst. Such assistance allows servant leaders to devote much of their time to the task of serving the church. They can do so without being distracted by material concerns or occupied with labors that are unrelated to ministry.
To be sure, this support may take on different forms depending on the possibilities of the local context. Some servant leaders may have a “tentmaking” ministry, as Paul did. (Acts 18:1-4). That is, when a congregation is unable to fully fund its servant leaders, they might do some other paid labor on the side. Likewise, missionaries do not expect to be supported by the people to whom they preach the gospel, at least initially. The form of ministry support varies widely in different places and situations, but the principle remains. Through their grateful giving, church members will support those who work in the gospel so that Christ’s word can continue to be preached.
Paul was mindful of how the love of money can have a corrupting influence on a leader’s ministry. This awareness is clear from Paul’s words of farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. There he insists that while he was among them, he “coveted no one’s silver or gold” (Acts 20:33), but he was willing to work with his hands to support himself and his companions. And thinking of his flashy rivals in Corinth, Paul denounces those who peddle the Word of God for personal profit (2 Cor. 2:17).
The servant leader’s challenge is the same that is faced by all Christians. By nature, we want to stand on our rights and we demand our entitlements. Greed and pride are ever-prowling. Yet Scripture exhorts all believers to be content with what we have (1 Tim. 6:6). When we are saved by Christ and have freely received his eternal inheritance, we have the ultimate reason to be content. Besides, God the Father has graciously promised to supply all our daily needs (Heb. 13:5). With confidence in God’s promise to provide, servant leaders can keep their focus on doing the work of dedicated ministry. Such a contented approach to money not only sets a good example to the congregation, it also honors Christ and His gospel.
A church should know that their servant leaders love them far more than their money. And a servant leader should know that their congregation stands behind and beside them with their whole-hearted support. Christ will surely bless such a servant leader-church relationship with fruitfulness and faithfulness. It is certainly expected, as promised by God, that through this blessed relationship, many will come to know Jesus as their Savior and Christ’s church will be victorious!
Dick Moser
October 5th, 2024
Before I answer the question, I want to provide some biblical clarification regarding the term “pastor” used in the question. The Bible teaches us that the terms pastor, elder, shepherd, overseer, and bishop are interchangeable, representing the same individual. I assume the person asking the question is referring to the congregation's preacher, minister, or evangelist. It is a common biblical error by many well-meaning people to refer to these individuals as pastors. For clarification purposes, I will use the general term “servant leader” in referring to the individual in the question.
Now to answer the question. There is nothing wrong with a Christian, whether a servant leader or not, to have possessions, as long as their possessions do not possess them. That would also mean that they are generous toward others and open to contributing to other ministries or causes, as the Holy Spirit leads them. Jesus made it clear why a rich person would have difficulty entering the kingdom of heaven. It is too easy to begin trusting in one’s money, more than trusting in God. Jesus taught that a person cannot serve two masters, such as God and money. Sooner or later, that person will choose the one over the other. He said that they would actually come to the place where they would love the one, and hate the other. If this happens, money has become their idol.
Every Christian should do their best to glorify God and to try to see that whatever they do is for God’s glory. Nothing we have really belongs to us, nor can we take it with us when we leave this world. We are simply charged as a steward of what God blesses us with, we are either a just or unjust steward. Here are some verses telling us what a servant leader should be, among other things, please note the words, noble, self-controlled, and not a lover of money.
1Ti 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
1Ti 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1Ti 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
People getting rich from the fears of others or the insecurities of others is nothing new as Acts 8 teaches. Simon the sorcerer exemplifies both the motivation of these types of people and the rebuke of their selfish desire to pursue the abilities of others for their profit. The misuse of the purpose of spiritual gifts for personal enrichment or self-promotion is demonstrated clearly in Acts 14:12 and Acts 10:26.
It is important to realize that it is not a sin to be wealthy. The ancient patriarchs Job, Abraham, and King Solomon were all very wealthy. In fact, God made them wealthy (Job 42:12-16; Genesis 12:1-3; 13:2; 1 Kings 3:10-14). God’s action simply proves that being wealthy is not wrong or God would not have done that.
In addition to these examples in the Old Testament, God tells wealthy Christians in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to handle their wealth properly:
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim 6:17-19.)
There are some poor people who are controlled by money just as much as some rich people. Also, there are people who give their money to others without regard to how much they own. Having money is not the issue. The issue is our heart’s attitude toward the money that God has given us.
In the following verse, notice that the ownership of money is not the root of evil. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil:
“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim 6:10”.)
A New Testament principle is that those who receive spiritual benefits from the gospel ministry must be willing to support their servant leaders (Acts 20:33–34; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:7–9). Even though Paul had turned down the financial assistance of the Corinthians, he insists that it is his God-given right to receive payment for the work he does in the church. Already in 1 Corinthians, he rooted this practice in the Israelites’ material support of the priests and Levites: “Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:13–14).
This principle means that it is still incumbent on churches today to faithfully support the gospel ministry being done in their midst. Such assistance allows servant leaders to devote much of their time to the task of serving the church. They can do so without being distracted by material concerns or occupied with labors that are unrelated to ministry.
To be sure, this support may take on different forms depending on the possibilities of the local context. Some servant leaders may have a “tentmaking” ministry, as Paul did. (Acts 18:1-4). That is, when a congregation is unable to fully fund its servant leaders, they might do some other paid labor on the side. Likewise, missionaries do not expect to be supported by the people to whom they preach the gospel, at least initially. The form of ministry support varies widely in different places and situations, but the principle remains. Through their grateful giving, church members will support those who work in the gospel so that Christ’s word can continue to be preached.
Paul was mindful of how the love of money can have a corrupting influence on a leader’s ministry. This awareness is clear from Paul’s words of farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. There he insists that while he was among them, he “coveted no one’s silver or gold” (Acts 20:33), but he was willing to work with his hands to support himself and his companions. And thinking of his flashy rivals in Corinth, Paul denounces those who peddle the Word of God for personal profit (2 Cor. 2:17).
The servant leader’s challenge is the same that is faced by all Christians. By nature, we want to stand on our rights and we demand our entitlements. Greed and pride are ever-prowling. Yet Scripture exhorts all believers to be content with what we have (1 Tim. 6:6). When we are saved by Christ and have freely received his eternal inheritance, we have the ultimate reason to be content. Besides, God the Father has graciously promised to supply all our daily needs (Heb. 13:5). With confidence in God’s promise to provide, servant leaders can keep their focus on doing the work of dedicated ministry. Such a contented approach to money not only sets a good example to the congregation, it also honors Christ and His gospel.
A church should know that their servant leaders love them far more than their money. And a servant leader should know that their congregation stands behind and beside them with their whole-hearted support. Christ will surely bless such a servant leader-church relationship with fruitfulness and faithfulness. It is certainly expected, as promised by God, that through this blessed relationship, many will come to know Jesus as their Savior and Christ’s church will be victorious!
Dick Moser
October 5th, 2024
