Millionaire Ministers

[Twomasters]

Hi all,

What do you think of Millionaire Ministers? Is living this type of life a blessing or having a love for money?

 

[Eugene]

Hi Twomaster, and welcome in Jesus' name. My pastor is a millionaire. I do not know the entire sequence of events preceding his eventual wealth, but he was a professional opera singer in Europe, invested in owning a mortgage company, taught our youth many years, and at the death of his step grandfather; our former pastor prior to being taken home, we asked him to become our pastor. He divested all ties to the company which even employes some of our assembly members, and now dedicates his total interest to preaching.

In essence, I would answer your question with this answer: did God prosper him, or devious practices?

 

[Jim Parker]

Hi all,
What do you think of Millionaire Ministers? Is living this type of life a blessing or having a love for money?

Mar 10:21 (KJV) Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

That's one way to look at it.

Here's another:

1Co 9:13-14 (NIV) Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

So, he has a right to expect to be supported.
Also, having earned his wealth legitimately, he is not compelled to give it up.
Neither is he compelled to "store up treasures in heaven."
But Jesus did strongly encourage His followers to do so.

Mat 6:19-21 (NKJV) Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

And wealth can be a roadblock on the road to the Kingdom of God.

Mat 19:23-24 (KNJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

I guess it's a question of what is most important.

iakov the fool