pastor's salary and my tithe

[alangley]

Hi everyone- hoping this falls under theology. I am seeking answers to a current topic I am studying. I believe that pastors should be taken very good care of and that they deserve to be comfortable and well paid. However, I just found out my pastor lives in a $1,700,000 house, etc, etc and I look at needs in our church and ministries within it and wonder if this is godly. Part of me says, "look at Solomon" and part of me is disappointed. Any guidance on scriptures to support this extravagance? I work really hard for my money and I want to know my tithe and offerings are truly going to God's work. Thanks.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Does God require money for salvation? And are we under the law, or grace?

Do the Lord's 2 witnesses come wearing sackcloth, or fancy suits?

 

[ptomwebster]

Hi everyone- hoping this falls under theology. I am seeking answers to a current topic I am studying. I believe that pastors should be taken very good care of and that they deserve to be comfortable and well paid. However, I just found out my pastor lives in a $1,700,000 house, etc, etc and I look at needs in our church and ministries within it and wonder if this is godly. Part of me says, "look at Solomon" and part of me is disappointed. Any guidance on scriptures to support this extravagance? I work really hard for my money and I want to know my tithe and offerings are truly going to God's work. Thanks.

You do not give enough information. Did he buy his own house or was it provided by the church? Did he own his home before becoming your pastor?

 

[ebedmelech]

Hi everyone- hoping this falls under theology. I am seeking answers to a current topic I am studying. I believe that pastors should be taken very good care of and that they deserve to be comfortable and well paid. However, I just found out my pastor lives in a $1,700,000 house, etc, etc and I look at needs in our church and ministries within it and wonder if this is godly. Part of me says, "look at Solomon" and part of me is disappointed. Any guidance on scriptures to support this extravagance? I work really hard for my money and I want to know my tithe and offerings are truly going to God's work. Thanks.

I would think the pastor's salary is given him by the members and church leadership...and it was voted on.

This is a matter of conscience. While many may have an opinion about it, if your church granted him that salary and you have a conviction about it (perhaps that it's too much), then you do what your conscience tells you while not creating a problem in the church.

Solomon would not be the example to look at on this issue as he was King of a nation.

The scripture says "the servant is worthy of his hire".

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

2 Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Matthew 6:19-21

King James Version (KJV)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Tell me, where do you think this pastor's heart is who lives in a $1,700,000 house?

 

[Aijalon]

You have very good reason, and a duty, to question the use of your tithes. (although you should call it an offering, as a tithe is a requirement and you NOT REQUIRED to give any money). You can just as easily honor God through your giving by extravagantly blessing others through hospitality, or even giving to a local food pantry.

But this is not the point of your question. It seems all you really question is whether your pastor lifelstyle is appropriate or not.

I would say that it certainly doesn't look good. It is most likely that he preaches and practices the prosperity gospel, which is that Money is evidence that God has blessed you and loves you. This works out well for the preacher - ALWAYS, and for the parishoner - RARELY. The money flows one way, uphill to the preacher. All your financial hardships he will blame on your lack of faith and/or sin, and all your blessings he will credit to your giving and generosity to his "church". It is a downright shame.

I recommend that you take all your money you normally give, and keep it aside, in cash. While you do this, pray for an opportunity to give to someone in need, and ask God to reveal to you what the intentions of your heart really are. Are you giving to God to gain favor with him? Or are you giving to God simply because you love him and love his word and you love others? When you get peace about this, give all that cash to whatever it is that gives you lasting peace and your conscience will be clean. You can do it, the Holy Spirit will help.

 

[ZaidaBoBaida]

This is why most Quakers do not have paid ministers.

 

[ptomwebster]

Matthew 6:19-21

King James Version (KJV)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Tell me, where do you think this pastor's heart is who lives in a $1,700,000 house?

But we do not know if the home belongs to the pastor or to the church. The Rectories of many Catholic churches could be worth several million dollars. The OP does not give any of that type of info, so you are just making it up.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

But we do not know if the home belongs to the pastor or to the church. The Rectories of many Catholic churches could be worth several million dollars. The OP does not give any of that type of info, so you are just making it up.

Because I qouted scripture, and repeated what the OP said concerning the pastors house I somehow made something up? Please show me what I made up.

 

[ptomwebster]

Because I qouted scripture, and repeated what the OP said concerning the pastors house I somehow made something up? Please show me what I made up.

This is where I am getting it and it is part of your post not the OP's.

...

Tell me, where do you think this pastor's heart is who lives in a $1,700,000 house?

I take this to be a snide remark, meaning the pastor's heart must be in the wrong place. That would be making up something that might not be there.


And do you really think the two witnesses care going to be running around wearing sackcloth for 1260 days?

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

This is where I am getting it and it is part of your post not the OP's.




I take this to be a snide remark, meaning the pastor's heart must be in the wrong place. That would be making up something that might not be there.


And do you really think the two witnesses care going to be running around wearing sackcloth for 1260 days?

You can take it any way you wish, but you still did not show me where I made something up. And just because you don't understand who the Lord's 2 witnesses are, or the signs of time given in scripture, then why am I evil spoken of?

 

[ptomwebster]

...And just because you don't understand who the Lord's 2 witnesses are, or the signs of time given in scripture, then why am I evil spoken of?

You might read Scripture but you certainly don't understand it. But let's not take this topic off on a tangent. I just wanted to try to get you to think about sackcloth. You have it incorrect. Start a new topic if you want to discuss it more.

 

[athenken]

A very important point to consider, which was mentioned by another poster, is whether or not the house is owned by the church (a parsonage), or if the pastor purchased it on their own. If it is the former then I would question how the church is using the money God has entrusted to them, if it is the latter then it really is a moot point considering you may not know how much the pastor is paid. Of course it should be very easy to find out for anyone who is a communicant member.

 

[Almighty's humble servant]

Wow, that's one big camel.

And ppl wonder why we can't help the poor more.

What a bright light we are shining through to the world when we raise up men as gods and lavish them with all fine things while the begger goes hungry and the widow cries in her sorrow.

 

[revanneosl]

I'm just loving the fact that most people on this thread are simply assuming that the pastor in question is male.

 

[ebia]

A very important point to consider, which was mentioned by another poster, is whether or not the house is owned by the church (a parsonage), or if the pastor purchased it on their own. If it is the former then I would question how the church is using the money God has entrusted to them, if it is the latter then it really is a moot point considering you may not know how much the pastor is paid. Of course it should be very easy to find out for anyone who is a communicant member.

And location. Is it an expensive house because it's extravagant, huge and luxurious. Or because it's a modest home in an expensive area.

 

[dysert]

I too think it's a matter of conscience. On the one hand, Scripture tells us that a laborer is worthy of his hire. Otoh, we're told not to lay up for ourselves treasure on earth. One could say that the pastor should downsize and be more servant-oriented with money he'd otherwise be putting into a mortgage. At the same time, one could say the same about me, even though my house isn't nearly valued at $1.7M. Or maybe someone doesn't think the pastor should be driving an expensive car. It's quite a fuzzy area, and probably all of us here are living with more than we actually need. So we need to be careful about throwing the first stone.

 

[jpcedotal]

Give what God requires. If you feel your money is not being used for the glory of God, give it somewhere else...but don't ever stop giving what is God's.

 

[TravisD]

jpcedotal said it all.... If you FEEL your money is not properly used than give elsewhere...

Also keep in mind that being wealthy and owning a mulit-million dollar house is not a sin!!! Get the churches financial records if you are concerned.... decide for yourself... if you feel your donations would be better spent elsewhere than so be it.