I agree, that like Paul, even if someone is preaching the true gospel even with a wrong motive, why worry about it? I am learning that truth. Just proclaim Jesus as Lord and obedience to the truth.
Well..I mean, Paul also spoke against gospel peddlers, 2 Cor 1:17, and in 1 Tim 6:5. Besides, those in Phil, were not trying to get money, maybe they had been jealous of Paul or something like that, 2 different things.
In 2 Cor 6:3, Paul said he put no stumbling block before his ministry, he cared about how he presented things, unlike soom foolish people today out there in ministry life..
How many starving children could you have fed with the money you wasted on your computer, and how many could you feed on an ongoing basis with the money you spend on an ISP? If we are going to judge someone else's excess, we have to look in the mirror first.My issue is that people around the world do not have clean water or healthcare, food and the ability to sustain themselves and their families. Aids is rampant in Africa and the child mortality rate is high.
How can we/they say that they are following Christ when Christ Himself said the two most important commandments are love your God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Not having money problems and the ability to live comfortably is one thing, but how many cars, houses, planes, clothes can someone have?
Why should one person have access and one person loose their children to disease? Excess. I don't believe that Jesus wants it this way. He loves ALL His children equally.
/rant :o
I just can't take the excess of it all. A preacher worth 40 million with private planes. Just is too much for me.
Well..I mean, Paul also spoke against gospel peddlers, 2 Cor 1:17, and in 1 Tim 6:5. Besides, those in Phil, were not trying to get money, maybe they had been jealous of Paul or something like that, 2 different things.
In 2 Cor 6:3, Paul said he put no stumbling block before his ministry, he cared about how he presented things, unlike soom foolish people today out there in ministry life..
Yet he also said as long as Christ is preached it didn't matter to him. If people waver from the message of free grace, then thats when the issue should arise, not lets have a rich guy hunt because he makes money. As long as the message is salvation through faith by grace without works, it shouldnt bother you if they make money.
Some people get offended at anything, so should we walk around on egg shells to avoid not upsetting the few? There are people who dont believe in salvation by grace. There are others thst think a person must wear a suit and tie/formal dress. Others dont believe a christian should have tattoos. Etc the list is never ending.
Just preach the true gospel and let God sort out the tares from the wheat.
Well..I mean, Paul also spoke against gospel peddlers, 2 Cor 1:17, and in 1 Tim 6:5. Besides, those in Phil, were not trying to get money, maybe they had been jealous of Paul or something like that, 2 different things.
In 2 Cor 6:3, Paul said he put no stumbling block before his ministry, he cared about how he presented things, unlike soom foolish people today out there in ministry life..
Frog, I know you and I often see things differently, but on this subject, you are spot on. There are those trying to make it ok to own Lear jets, five houses...extravagant ones, make millions off the gospel, and think they are fine...even godly in doing so. But the word tells us that they are making merchandise of the sheep, shearing and fleecing them. They will be getting their reward now, while the poor will get theirs in the resurrection.
How do we try to justify a man of God living like that when they mind earthly things? Can we even imagine Paul or Peter doing so, living high on the hog while their converts struggle to put food on the table? I certainly cannot. Jesus himself had no place to lay His head, yet he had true riches.
Are not ministers supposed to lead by example as to what is important and what is not? These have tried to teach in so many words that gain is godliness and we are warned to run far from these who teach...and live sumptuously.
Paul exhorted us to follow him just as he followed Christ. He worked by day to preach by night so that he could offer people truth free of charge. May God give us real men of God that live what they preach. It is tough to believe the words of a "man of God" whose life testifies that his treasure is here, and that the world really does satisfy.
People will say "Yes, but look at all the good that they are doing." Really? What results from such converts except that they learn a twisted gospel with just enough truth to seem like Christianity, and then they become just like those they hold in admiration,
The bottom line is it is not real Christianity at all. Is Jesus really preached? Not the Jesus I know. The scriptures are clear on materialism and covetousness, but some simply do not want to hear it. Is it any wonder many have fallen into a ditch?
But the true church is arising and we will walk in truth in word AND deep, for the two are inseparable. Thank you for being firm on this subject. Many need to hear it.
Blessings, to you.
Gids
I am not excusing the extravagance of those who make truckloads of money and spend it on fancy rides, jets, mansions, etc. What I am saying is this.
Paul excused those who preached with evil desires. Why? Because they were preaching the true gospel! It didn't matter to him that they had evil in their hearts when they did it. Why? Because God's word, whether from an evil intentioned man or a stupid donkey, is God's word and it will accomplish it's purpose.
But then Paul vehemently rejected and denounced the Galatian preachers. Why? Because they preached a false gospel. It's the message that is important, more so than the lifestyle of those who preach it. Sure they both have significance, but if the Apostle Paul, the only man in the New Testament writings to call down a curse on false teachers, could overlook the evil intentions of Philippian preachers, then surely we can do the same today. As long as they teach and preach the true gospel we should amen that, just as Paul did.
So sure, maybe they shouldn't live such extravagant lifestyles. Sure, we should throw stumbling blocks in front of other believers, but someone is going to be offended by almost any message you preach, especially the true one. If you are unwilling to offend someone (put a stumbling block in front of them), then preaching the gospel is not for you.
How many starving children could you have fed with the money you wasted on your computer, and how many could you feed on an ongoing basis with the money you spend on an ISP? If we are going to judge someone else's excess, we have to look in the mirror first.
How many starving children could you have fed with the money you wasted on your computer, and how many could you feed on an ongoing basis with the money you spend on an ISP? If we are going to judge someone else's excess, we have to look in the mirror first.
I am not excusing the extravagance of those who make truckloads of money and spend it on fancy rides, jets, mansions, etc. What I am saying is this.
Paul excused those who preached with evil desires. Why? Because they were preaching the true gospel! It didn't matter to him that they had evil in their hearts when they did it. Why? Because God's word, whether from an evil intentioned man or a stupid donkey, is God's word and it will accomplish it's purpose.
But then Paul vehemently rejected and denounced the Galatian preachers. Why? Because they preached a false gospel. It's the message that is important, more so than the lifestyle of those who preach it. Sure they both have significance, but if the Apostle Paul, the only man in the New Testament writings to call down a curse on false teachers, could overlook the evil intentions of Philippian preachers, then surely we can do the same today. As long as they teach and preach the true gospel we should amen that, just as Paul did.
So sure, maybe they shouldn't live such extravagant lifestyles. Sure, we should throw stumbling blocks in front of other believers, but someone is going to be offended by almost any message you preach, especially the true one. If you are unwilling to offend someone (put a stumbling block in front of them), then preaching the gospel is not for you.
Manchester United are most despised club in England- they flaunt there wealth-the product is normally very good-but nobody likes a show off.
We don't know these guys or ministries.
Who are we to judge?