[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I appreciate the words of wisdom. I have pastored for about 14mo. so I still have a lot of learning to do. Since I have been there we have lost some of the bigger tithers in the church, but we have grown in attendance though.
We really have been having revival with people being filled with the Holy Ghost and being baptized.

We have more mouths with less food so to speak. I am not stressing though I know God will provide. I am bi-vocational and I don't have a problem with it even if I had to do all my life. Although it would sometimes be less conflicting of my schedule to be full time. I don't want to make people feel they must give or else, but I don't want to be so lax that people fail to get the importance of their giving. I think that a big key in life is having balance. We must have balance in everything we do.

Family, work, play, giving, etc. we must have balance. A lot of times there are suffering families and prospering pastors and I don't think that is balance. In the book of Acts they sold what they had and had things common. The church took care of one another's needs as well as supported the ministry while they were doing the work of God. I think that most pastors out there are trying to be right in their teaching on giving, but it is the few bad apples that spoil the whole bunch. And yes you are right many times people let others financial status affect their judgement and don't judge righteously. I hope the Lord will help keep me from such.

Brother, the answer to the financial question is simply this...MORE SOULS.

I asked a pastor if he thought the Lord would rather have 100 folks saved, that gave 5%, or 50 folks saved that gave 10%. Guess what he told me?


Right, he chose the 50 folks.

The Lord WILL bless you FREELY and take care of you if you open the door to all souls with no strings attatched. You will baptize weekly and be amazed at the revival that the Lord will send you. Just remember though...no strings attatched...ever.

The Lord will speak to the saints without your prodding. Just let them know the needs and your plans for the community. If your "ARK" is built on truth, it will never sink, no matter how many souls are aboard.....