Everybody that fly’s coach reaches their destination at the very same time as those in First Class. I know this to be true because I was on a flight the other day and the seat in which I was assigned to was 15B which is an exit row. Ultimately meaning if something were to happen those who were on my row would be responsible for making sure the door was open. So truth is as I sat in that middle seat in the middle of the plain I had been entrusted with more responsibility with those in First Class and those in Preferred Seating. Nevertheless all of us who were on that flight, regardless of our seating assignment reached the same destination at the same time. I pointed that out for this simple reason, I didn’t need the best and most exspensive seat with all of the luxurious accommodations to get to the place that I was required to be.
Some accomadations are way over the top. Annual Day’s and anniversaries are one thing (and don’t get me wrong we should honor and take care of our pastors) but when preachers start asking for full security details, luxury cars with a driver, preferred parking, vacation houses on tropical islands and private jets then there is a problem. There is no need, and no reasonable explanation for the bishop, elder, pastor, overseer, under shepherd, servant of the Lord to require such things. I’m in no way suggesting that a pastor and his family should not have nice things. If he can afford it or the church can afford to give it to him without struggling or robbing Peter to pay Paul than by all means have your way. I’d just propose this question, is all of the fancy stuff doing more to glorify God, or are those things tools to lift the status of the preacher? Are the desires of the pastor/preacher to honor God or are those desires that of shameful gain?
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, excercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV)
Brothers don’t teach and preach and pastor God’s people for shameful gain. Don’t take advantage of the people who make up the local body. But love them, lead them, equip them for ministry and do life with them. In fact make sacrifices for them. Suffer with them and all that you do, do for the glory of God. If you do it for any other reason; if you do it for fortune, if you do it for fame, or if you do it for what you perceive as the next best and better thing than you’ve done it for shameful gain.
Embracing God’s Grace,
D.
Deryk Hayes's Blog 