Why Do So Many Ministers & Priests Own and Drive Expensive Cars??......

[Tim Myers]

This is a difficult post to write.......

......for several reasons.......

1. I do not wish to come across sounding like I am condemning anyone for wanting to own and drive an expensive car......

2. I do not want to sound like I am specifically criticizing or putting down ministers or priests for wanting to own and drive an expensive car......

3. I do not want to sound like I am inferring that ALL ministers and priests own and drive expensive cars.....

4. I want to present the subject of why so many ministers and priests own and drive expensive cars in the most neutral and inoffensive way possible......

5. I simply wish to make an obsevation that, in my personal experience, it seems like the majority of ministers and priests own and drive expensive cars.....

6. I realize that not all ministers and priests own and drive expensive cars and, in fact, many own and drive cars that are only being held together by the body paint.....

Okay.....having gotten that out of the way......

"Why do so many ministers and priests own and drive expensive cars??........."

 

[151kN]

Because they have enough money to buy them and they are pressured by society to want them. That would be the most simplistic answer, ministers are people to.

I feel like this question should get us to consider other questions:

How much should ministers be paid?
or perhaps
Should ministers be presenting themselves in such a way that their material wealth becomes an issue (to those outside and inside the church)?

 

[Tim Myers]

"I feel like this question should get us to consider other questions"

Well, let's allow the thread to wind and twist and gyrate where it will and see what happens......

 

[151kN]

I have to say, wealth within the western church irks me quite a bit. Perhaps christians should all be kept poor for the betterment of their souls?

 

[Andrew182]

I have to say, wealth within the western church irks me quite a bit. Perhaps christians should all be kept poor for the betterment of their souls?

What does wealth have to do with being humble. I know plenty of people who are extremely poor and they're some of the most disgusting people imaginable. They smoke crack and rob people for money, but the cross they wear around their neck makes it okay?

Meanwhile I know plenty of people who have millions and millions, and are always there to help those out in need, are genuinely good people, and are incredibly selfless.

To say that the amount of money anyone has is in anyway indicative of the manner in which they live their life is very, very false.

 

[brightmorningstar]

Not in most of the world they dont. In the UK, what do you mean by expensive, all cars are expensive, you mean top of the range price ? In the UK the only pastors I know who drive really expensive cars are ones who have been given them. i know one Christian who gave his car away and wasnt expecting to have one until someone gave him a much better one.

 

[Zaac]

Perhaps this is a question that should be asked of the TOTAL of the Body of Christ.

We are overly consumed with accumulating stuff when there are people in our own congregations losing their homes or without money to buy gas to look for work.

Our church recently took up several hundred thousand dollars outside of our budget to help the folks within the church who have lost their jobs, or who just were in need of some immediate financial help.

I guess God doesn't mind us having nice things. But to be driving a $300K Bentley while a member of your flock is being put on the street would probably cause me to leave such a church.

There is enough wealth in the Body of Christ to make sure everyone is at the table so that we start to look more like the Acts church.

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need Acts 2:44-45

 

[Tergle]

"I feel like this question should get us to consider other questions"

Well, let's allow the thread to wind and twist and gyrate where it will and see what happens......

It's based on pure judgmentalism and little else.

 

[Tim Myers]

"....what do you mean by expensive, all cars are expensive, you mean top of the range price ?"

Well, in America, it seems to be either Caddies or Lexuses.....

 

[Tim Myers]

"It's based on pure judgmentalism and little else"

"No, it is based on the easily-observable reality that many ministers or priests own and drive expensive cars", said the kettle.....

 

[Vasallus]

The priests I know who drive nice cars got them a gifts from rich parishoners.

 

[Tim Myers]

"The priests I know who drive nice cars got them a gifts from rich parishoners."

Like I explained in my lengthy disclaimer above, I am not saying that there is anything innately wrong with a minister or priest owning and driving an expensive car......

I was just asking why so many of them do........

 

[lux et lex]

The priests I know who drive nice cars got them a gifts from rich parishoners.

Wouldn't it be better to sell the nice car and buy something that works just fine and donate the remaining money to the parish?

 

[Vasallus]

Or it might be nice to take the gift offered by a parishoner for years of service and use it as the giver intended. Not my call - not yours.

 

[ebia]

All the ministers and priests I can think of have a car no more expensive than is needed by them.

Fo example the bishop of a diocese bigger than most european countries needs a car suitable for those distances. The pastor of a bush area needs a big 4WD to safely travel his dirt roads, but my priest has a small, economical car that is suitable for what he needs. I'm not a minister, but I chose my vehicle with the needs of my parish in mind.

 

[Tim Myers]

"All the ministers and priests I can think of have a car no more expensive than is needed by them."

Well, I have never been to the "Land Down Under," so I have no way of knowing what ministers and priests drive there...

 

[EphesiaNZ]

Wouldn't it be better to sell the nice car and buy something that works just fine and donate the remaining money to the parish?

I suggest a donkey as an exchange vehicle, doesn't cost much, environmentally green and seeing as Jesus drove one it makes it an absolute biblical necessity to own one. Remember all that money saved in petrol/gas!

Seriously, some of these people need to consider how they look in front of the people they minister too and also God too!

 

[MrJim]

My first instinct would reflect judgmentalism as mentioned earlier.

After thinking for a few moments I turn it back on myself and realize that sometimes it's a "sour grapes" thing, wishing I had a car/truck as nice as some pastor's when I get on my self righteous high-horse.

Then too I think of how often the pastor is in his vehicle hauling people all around, making countless trips to nursing homes, hospitals, funeral homes, sometimes nearly living in his car serving other folks.

Then decide to repent for my attitude...

 

[wannabeadesigirl]

I don't care what kind of car a priest drives (though my favorite priest drove a light green subaru to accomodate his dogs and the rough terrain of Park City UT). Forefront in my mind currently is the protection of said vehicle. Why is it that Christian leaders in the public eye, claiming protection of the Almighty, drive in bullet proof vehicles?

I mean I understand not wanting to take a bullet through the head (who would want that?) but at the same time what's the worst that can happen? You'll die, and then you'll be with Jesus, which, in retrospect, is probably the BEST thing that can happen. It also doesn't really do what Christ did. I'm pretty sure he braved assassination every time he stepped out with his disciples, but his message was more important.

 

[Tim Myers]

".....sometimes nearly living in his car serving other folks."

With a Bentley or an older Cadillac you can do that......