Two points I've made for years: professing Christians and churches never cornered the market on hypocrisy (meaning plenty of hypocrites outside of them!) and secondly, I have live ammo regarding the "preach but ain't livin' it" games so-called followers of Jesus play. Been with Him and the churcheS for over 5 decades now.
The Bible has plenty of evidence for all I've said so far. Just one of many passages that relate:
Paul to Timothy, 1Tim. 6.3 Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness 4. is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, 5. and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6. Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment, 7. for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it, 8. but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
What's important here is the context is about slavery in his time and place and in particular about enslaved Christ-followers in terms of their discipleship -and of course I'm not certain what he was thinking but a large amount of this passage sounds as if he was thinking of "masters", not those captured in war or otherwise working as bond-slaves or in brutality which Paul did not condone though many would like to claim. The enslaved surely had far less reason to expect they'd ever become rich!! Think on that for a moment. The issue was witness/reflection of Christ-following disciples regardless of what their so-called social status was.
Indeed the pursuit of wealth and security by it is so far out of line with Jesus' teaching and example of life it's amazing anyone can argue for such when considering the concept.
As always, our motives and stewardship of whatever we have is the issue.
Have plenty in and outside of anything like religious churches, vocations and culture fallen into the traps of gain, even seeking such with motive TO GAIN as apposed to honor God, bless others, serve Him and the poor and others in need? History in and outside scripture answers that starkly.
So what about you and I dear reader? Is it a "what" or a "Who" we are after?
I've often loved and thought on Paul's statement right in the middle of 2 Corinthians 12, verse 14: "And I will not be a burden, because I do not want what is yours but you..."
Again, even in ministry I suggest the issue is not numbers, not drawing people after ourselves but reflecting and sharing Him by example and yes, speaking as well. Ours will always be a flawed witness of Christ-knowing and following but let us focus on that in love and in truth- pointing, encouraging people to intimate relationship with the risen Lord.
Never forget the obvious about the terms "ministry" and "minister". It's about serving others, not ourselves.
As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn
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