Some so called ministers function according to the idea that the people are primarily there "to support the ministry" (meaning to give money to that minister and his team) and they repeatedly belabor this..sometimes for lengthy periods of time in each service..communicating this idea to the people and putting real constraint and unnecessary pressure on them. What's sad is that their non-Christian public tactics often work for them and some pastors see larger offerings come in. I've personally seen this happen to the tune of a million dollars every month, but this isn't God's sign of approval as they say it is.
Minister means servant. A true minister is the guy who is not there for self. He's there not to "get" per se - he's not there to be ministered unto. No, he's the guy who is there with right motives to glorify the Lord and minister to the needs of the people. He also thereby sets the example for all other open-air and other types of ministers.. including the person who calls themself a minister or a reverend, but in reality is just a greedy false minister.
Am I saying it's wrong for a local church pastor to recieve an offering for paying the bills, for doing evangelism, and for doing excellent practical ministry that builds up the body? No.
The Father is a giving Minister. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32
Jesus is a giving Minister, "And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'" Rev. 21:6
"...Freely you have received, freely give." Mat. 10:8
"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Pet. 5:2-3
Got a great idea.. let's all choose to be and do more like our Chief Shepherd, Jesus, who gave it all so we could become eternally blessed with Him. Did you ever see Him in the Bible working the crowd for bucks, or begging people to do the Father's work on earth? Hint..no way. Where God guides, He provides. facebook.com/shareJesus
