Lavish Lifestyle Ministry Spending

stmatthew · #11 06-02-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMark

Having money is not my issue Matt. I know some pastors in the UPC who did quite wealthy because they invested right and lived very frugal. they also gave a lot back to build their churches and to world missions. They didn't Strive to become rich at the expense of ministry nor did they get money by milking people with gimmciks like the charismatics are known for.

Again, it's not having money, I just don't believe that this who serve in the vocation of a minister, an humble servant, should be flashy. It's a horrible testimony to the world. And I'm not saying everyone has to hunch around like mother theresa either. I think the ministry in general (pentecost) has preached moderation in everything but lifestyle which leave the sinner scratching their heads

You are right Mark. I do not believe having money is the issue either, though I would gladly take a little bit (or a big lot) more

.

I really think we live in a different generation that our dad's did. They both started a church (my dad started in a storefront) and labored hard to see it survive. When finances did start coming in, while they to a degree enjoyed the fruit of their labors, they continued to pour it back into the church, and Gods work in general. Their values seemed to be different than the current brand of preachers. The church was a vehicle to build the kingdom, and was not used for personal gain and self serving motives. I don't know about your dad, but my dad took very few vacations. He felt his duty was to be at the church every time it was open, whether he was preaching or not. It was his life. Of course, the few vacations we did take was combined with camp meetings, so even in those few times we did go somewhere on vacation, it was not really a vacation.

Todays preacher takes more R&R vacations than I have seen in years. Between golf, hunting trips, fishing trips, camping trips, and cruises, I have to wonder when they take the time to lay on their faces and pray. But I guess that is another subject for another time.