there are people who do not have the oppurtunity to work full time jobs, becuase of their commitments to the church, the only way they will be able to watch over their families and still be who they need to be in the church, is to receive from the church. we do have people who need to be supported by the church today, and not only them, but its the only way to support the vision of the church financially.
you cant judge anything by its abuse.
tithing was taught 430 years before the law.
gen 14.20
gen 28.22
hebrews 7.1-11
tithing in the new testament
Christ taught it.
matt 23.23
teachers are to be given support in all ways.
gal 6.6
God ordained support of ministers.
1 cor 9.7-14
matt 23.23
...you pay tithe...but have ommited the weightier matters of the law, judgment and mercy and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Jesus Christ supported tithing.
the thing is, a tithe is a tithe... its no more or no less.
preachers cant ask for MORE tithe so they can get rich, a tithe is a flat rate.
whether those preachers squander it is up to them, but the church is commanded to tithe and support the ministers.
i know that at my church, my pastor does not determine the amount of the tithe that he receives as a pay check. the board of the church decides that.
part of the money given is to support him, but rest to support the vision of the church and the church itself. without the tithe my pastor could likely not support his family and still be what he is in our church.
and without a doubt, without the tithe our churchs vision would never come to pass.
our pastor is paid a check like everyone else.
what he chooses to do with that is up to him and his family.
but as for me, my pastor has done far far more for me, and deserves much much more than just an escalade or a nice comfortable home.
a remember one person said,
"money isnt important, its just right up there with air"
and another
"i once wanted to be comfortable not rich, but then i found out to be comfortable you gotta be rich!"
and another
"POVERTY SUCKS, YOU HERE ME! HEHE"
hehe.
but people have the right to enjoy life and enjoy the fruit of their work, it doesnt all have to be given away to gospel, God doesnt require that.
so pastors do have the right to by things, just like i do, and just like you do.
ecc 5.18
behold that which i have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: FOR IT IS HIS PORTION.
we all have jobs that we ought to see as ministries unto people, and as we work in these Jobs we receive payment and we have the ability to be increased and receive wealth, and we have the ability to use this money support our families but also to increase our enjoyment as we please, and we have the right to see our pay increases from our good work.
i dont see why pastors should be any diffrent.
it isnt impossible for us to dress the same way and drive the same things, if we will learn to manage our money and learn how to utilise the gifts God gave us we also could create wealth for ourselves.
a silk suit isnt something outrageously expensive, neither is a caddilac.
i mean, there is a way to be rediculous... but there is also a way to be wealthy and drive fancy cars and wear fine clothing without being selfish or at other peoples expenses.
if a pastors church does not have the ability to support him like that, then so be it, he should be content, but if the church does and if the board is willing to pay him that amount, he should be able to use it as he pleases.
my pastor has an escalade, my pastor has a bmw, but the bible promises that any man that has wisdom has the ability to be wealthy its a given thing to all men if they will have wisdom. wisdom creates wealth and financial success, and success in all arenas, period.
and many of the people in our congregation drive even more expensive vehicles, so its not like he is rich in our poverty. he works for his payment like we all do. though it isnt just about the money, as it shouldnt be for us either.
he is blessed, as he blesses us, and it returns to him. as you cast your bread upon the waters...it will always return to you.
we all have something, that if matured and perfected, the world is willing to pay us very very well for.
we all have the ability to become wealthy. it isnt that a pastor has become something we can never be, at our expense.
the bible says it is God that has given the power to get wealth.
he gave us that. duet 8.
and pastors arent excluded.
and they shouldnt have to work a side job unless they have to.
the sheperds in the churches should be allowed to give themselves wholly unto prayer, fasting and doctrine, as paul told timothy to be and the the church leaders in acts said they should be.
so they can be the pastors and sheperds they need to be.