Pastors profiting from Preaching/speaking?

[svm9]

What does the bible say about pastors profiting from preaching?

I attend a large, non-denominational church. The pastor is known throughout the World. He writes books, sells tapes and does large speaking engagements around the World in addition to pastoring our Church. He is not a prosperity preacher - I think you would categorize him as evangelical, fundamentalist, non-denominational. He is a top class speaker.

I assume from his lifestyle that he has become a very wealthy man through ministry. Large house and property, vacation home in exclusive area, top of the line cars etc.

When I look around at the non-denominational world today, it seems that many of our well known speakers have become very wealthy through their ministries. People we'd probably consider "mainline" not those prosperity guys and their airplanes and rolls royces.

Most of them seem to work for their churchs for no salary, but have their books, tapes, internet and speaking ministries linked to those churches. They also constantly ask for volunteers and money for their churches. Even though they don't make money directly from their churches, the bigger the platform, the more tapes, books etc. they sell.

The fact that many of our Christian thought leaders today have become rich off of preaching scripture, just doesn't sit right with something in my spirit. What does the bible have to say about this and what are your thoughts?
(all meant in a spirit of seeking the truth)

 

[Aconba]

...

 

[Sketcher]

What does the bible say about pastors profiting from preaching?

I attend a large, non-denominational church. The pastor is known throughout the World. He writes books, sells tapes and does large speaking engagements around the World in addition to pastoring our Church. He is not a prosperity preacher - I think you would categorize him as evangelical, fundamentalist, non-denominational. He is a top class speaker.

I assume from his lifestyle that he has become a very wealthy man through ministry. Large house and property, vacation home in exclusive area, top of the line cars etc.

Do you know for a fact that he lives that way, or are you just assuming that because he sells a lot of books and tapes?

 

[served]

What does the bible say about pastors profiting from preaching?

I attend a large, non-denominational church. The pastor is known throughout the World. He writes books, sells tapes and does large speaking engagements around the World in addition to pastoring our Church. He is not a prosperity preacher - I think you would categorize him as evangelical, fundamentalist, non-denominational. He is a top class speaker.

I assume from his lifestyle that he has become a very wealthy man through ministry. Large house and property, vacation home in exclusive area, top of the line cars etc.

When I look around at the non-denominational world today, it seems that many of our well known speakers have become very wealthy through their ministries. People we'd probably consider "mainline" not those prosperity guys and their airplanes and rolls royces.

Most of them seem to work for their churchs for no salary, but have their books, tapes, internet and speaking ministries linked to those churches. They also constantly ask for volunteers and money for their churches. Even though they don't make money directly from their churches, the bigger the platform, the more tapes, books etc. they sell.

The fact that many of our Christian thought leaders today have become rich off of preaching scripture, just doesn't sit right with something in my spirit. What does the bible have to say about this and what are your thoughts?
(all meant in a spirit of seeking the truth)

Your concerns are valid. I think a modest salary for people who serve in a church is not sinful but peddling the word of GOD certainly is. Jesus did not intend for anyone to get rich on selling what He freely has given us. Personally if I had came up with material I wanted to get out in the world I would sell it at the cost of publishing. Think about this...if you were making a profit selling GOD do you think your judgement will be a little more strict? The business of religion will never go away and the wolves in sheep's clothing are getting trickier to catch but a good indication is their wallet size.

 

[Jerushabelle]

There's a lot of nasty stuff going on in ALL the churches these days, not just the NDs. There is plenty going down in the Denoms that would curl your hair and make the ND pastor you're referring to appear saintly. These are the end times and it's going to get worse, not better.

 

[Biker Angel]

"Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
Acts 2:45

"They sold everything they had and laid the money at the Apostles feet."

Acts 4:35

In my opinion all preachers and evangelists who get rich from the gospel are doing it all wrong. But try telling them that.

 

[whatfor]

I think part of the problem is the thinking that God wants to bless us abundantly.
I think those who worship money interpret it the way they want it to.

Jesus said our walk would be hard, with a lot of persecution.
I do not see that with these people.

I do not want to judge them , I am not living the way I should be either.

 

[svm9]

Do you know for a fact that he lives that way, or are you just assuming that because he sells a lot of books and tapes?

Yes, I know for a fact about lifestyle, homes and cars etc. I've also seen the same thing for other prominent Christian leaders. The same ones who's books and tapes are often front and center in Christian bookstores.

The model seems to be that they create a large and thriving Church where they take no salary. But, they have a very profitable tapes, books, internet and speaking ministry. There is a board of directors, or board of advisors or deacons, but the minister/preacher maintain voting control of the organization. Kind of an Entrepreneurial model. It ultimately puts all of the organizational decision making power, or most of it in the hands of one person- the minister.

 

[spiritman1]

What does the bible say about pastors profiting from preaching?

I attend a large, non-denominational church. The pastor is known throughout the World. He writes books, sells tapes and does large speaking engagements around the World in addition to pastoring our Church. He is not a prosperity preacher - I think you would categorize him as evangelical, fundamentalist, non-denominational. He is a top class speaker.

I assume from his lifestyle that he has become a very wealthy man through ministry. Large house and property, vacation home in exclusive area, top of the line cars etc.

When I look around at the non-denominational world today, it seems that many of our well known speakers have become very wealthy through their ministries. People we'd probably consider "mainline" not those prosperity guys and their airplanes and rolls royces.

Most of them seem to work for their churchs for no salary, but have their books, tapes, internet and speaking ministries linked to those churches. They also constantly ask for volunteers and money for their churches. Even though they don't make money directly from their churches, the bigger the platform, the more tapes, books etc. they sell.

The fact that many of our Christian thought leaders today have become rich off of preaching scripture, just doesn't sit right with something in my spirit. What does the bible have to say about this and what are your thoughts?
(all meant in a spirit of seeking the truth)

It shouldn't sit right with you, For the worker is worth his wages is a far cry from what we see these folks doing, storing up wealth where moth and rust will destroy. These folks are exactly who the book of revelations was speaking about in 3:17 "because you say I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor blind and naked-" I don't care for anybody I see on TV these days, and these mega churches are void of any real truth. I don't have a problem with being wealthy, but becoming wealthy by taking poor believers money is somthing that doesn't sit well anywhere

 

[XtianAgain]

"Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
Acts 2:45

"They sold everything they had and laid the money at the Apostles feet."

Acts 4:35

In my opinion all preachers and evangelists who get rich from the gospel are doing it all wrong. But try telling them that.

Completely agree. Hey, nothing wrong with making a modest living. But, to live in undo opulence as a preacher isn't very WWJD imo.

 

[dies-l]

Nothing wrong with a pastor making even a generous living from ministry, but if the pastor is using even a modest living selfishly, then that is a problem. Wealth vs. poverty is the wrong question; what matters is whether what one has is being used for the Kingdom or for oneself.

 

[A New Dawn]

What does the bible say about pastors profiting from preaching?

I attend a large, non-denominational church. The pastor is known throughout the World. He writes books, sells tapes and does large speaking engagements around the World in addition to pastoring our Church. He is not a prosperity preacher - I think you would categorize him as evangelical, fundamentalist, non-denominational. He is a top class speaker.

I assume from his lifestyle that he has become a very wealthy man through ministry. Large house and property, vacation home in exclusive area, top of the line cars etc.

When I look around at the non-denominational world today, it seems that many of our well known speakers have become very wealthy through their ministries. People we'd probably consider "mainline" not those prosperity guys and their airplanes and rolls royces.

Most of them seem to work for their churchs for no salary, but have their books, tapes, internet and speaking ministries linked to those churches. They also constantly ask for volunteers and money for their churches. Even though they don't make money directly from their churches, the bigger the platform, the more tapes, books etc. they sell.

The fact that many of our Christian thought leaders today have become rich off of preaching scripture, just doesn't sit right with something in my spirit. What does the bible have to say about this and what are your thoughts?
(all meant in a spirit of seeking the truth)

I think that the part I bolded is where I have a problem with your post. I do not believe that many Christian leaders have become rich off of preaching scripture. I believe that a few have. I attend a large non-denominational church (close in size to what many refer to as a mega-church), but the pastors are anything but rich. Granted, there are not tens of thousands who attend, but the budget is large and it is covered by the membership. I do believe that most churches fall into the category of barely making their budget, or even don't meet their budgets. Unfortunately, there might be a few that do take in a lot of money and the leader does take a hefty salary, but I don't believe that "many" should be accused of doing the same thing.

 

[svm9]

I think that the part I bolded is where I have a problem with your post. I do not believe that many Christian leaders have become rich off of preaching scripture. I believe that a few have.

Fair enough. I think "many" is a relative term. For my questions, if you don't mid let's just focus on the ones who are getting rich from preaching. The ones typically that are the most well known, whose books and tapes are all over the Christian bookstores. The ones who maintain majority ownership/control of their organizations.

 

[Nienna_Lady_of_Tears]

I don't have a problem with pastors being paid even a lot of money, as long as they are living on a modest amount of it and using the rest for charitable purposes.

My husband would like to be a pastor and we have a dream of having a relatively large home so that we can house those in need, especially girls coming out of cultish highly patriarchal families... and they do exist. Many of these girls have no way of getting out and when they do lack basic life skills in order to make a living in today's world. Sure they can cook, sew, embroider, whatever but they can't drive, have often never had a job, and suffered from lots of spiritual abuse.

 

[Jerushabelle]

Fair enough. I think "many" is a relative term. For my questions, if you don't mid let's just focus on the ones who are getting rich from preaching. The ones typically that are the most well known, whose books and tapes are all over the Christian bookstores. The ones who maintain majority ownership/control of their organizations.

The subject, to my POV, has merit but can we leave out specific names of churches or pastors? That's just wrong. Additionally, it should be understood that this isn't just a Non-Denominational problem. There is financial corruption going on in Denominational churches as well ie. money laundering, blackmail, and, believe it or not, human trafficking. Greedy pastors are a drop in the bucket on all fronts.

 

[svm9]

The subject, to my POV, has merit but can we leave out specific names of churches or pastors? That's just wrong. Additionally, it should be understood that this isn't just a Non-Denominational problem. There is financial corruption going on in Denominational churches as well ie. money laundering, blackmail, and, believe it or not, human trafficking. Greedy pastors are a drop in the bucket on all fronts.

Leaving out names of churches and pastors is a good idea in my opinion. I also see the problem in traditional denominations.

 

[Mich7]

I wonder how many of these preachers would continue to preach if the money aspect of it were removed? Paul worked as a tent maker and preached the gospel on the Sabbath (Acts 18:3,4) because the gospel burned within him (Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel).

 

[dies-l]

I wonder how many of these preachers would continue to preach if the money aspect of it were removed? Paul worked as a tent maker and preached the gospel on the Sabbath (Acts 18:3,4) because the gospel burned within him (Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel).

Would they still preach? Probably. Would they do it as a 60+ hour per week job? Probably not. A good church is full of people who spend a lot of their free time advancing the Kingdom. But, what differentiates them from the paid staff is the amount of time that they are able to dedicate. A good pastor spends a full workweek and much of his "free" time directly supporting the church. A person in full time outside employment cannot do this. And, most pastors would need a "day job" if not for the "money aspect" of their calling.

 

[Nienna_Lady_of_Tears]

I wonder how many of these preachers would continue to preach if the money aspect of it were removed? Paul worked as a tent maker and preached the gospel on the Sabbath (Acts 18:3,4) because the gospel burned within him (Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel).

He was also paid by some churches but there were others that he didn't take money from. Yes he was a tentmaker, but he did also receive some money from preaching. So it is not unscriptural to do so.

 

[svm9]

I believe, based on scripture, that a pastor should be paid for his work. If he commits himself to a lifetime of ministry, I believe his financial needs should be taken care of. A wage that the church can afford and is in line with the average for the area in which he preaches. Also, his retirement. But, what I'm questioning here is the practice of creating an entrepreneurial model and getting rich in the process.

I'm sure my question sounds judgmental. I'm trying to not be be that way. Asking the question to get others opinions and scripture references. Trying to decide through conversation, prayer and scripture, whether or not I should continue supporting these types of ministries or listening to their preaching.

Thanks