The Corruption of the Clergy: Money, Tithes, and Paid Pastors book review

[TitusTwoWife]

I wanted to draw attention to this book because it is a Scriptural appeal to people to stop accepting the status quo in churches regarding tithing, pastors salaries, and false teaching.

You can read a free version of in the following link.

https://www.christianmyths.org/files/free-chapters-in-pdf-format.pdf?d=1776699682

This book is a heartfelt, fiery appeal to wake up about corruption in the churches handed down by traditions of men rather than the Word of God. I absolutely loved it. It cuts straight to the heart of things with plenty of Scripture but at 56 pages, it is a short read. It's also reasonably priced at about 7 US dollars by paperback or 3 dollars on Kindle.

My husband and I have been seeing great differences between church doctrine and bible doctrine. We call them "churchisms". This book is a wonderful resource that summarizes why we left the churches of today.

 

[David]

This subject is a tough one because so many preachers today really do act like hirelings, chasing money, buildings, and comfort instead of caring for the sheep. Scripture is clear that wrong motive is sin. ~1 Peter 5:2 tells elders to shepherd the flock “not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” Preaching only for the paycheck is exactly what the Bible warns against.

At the same time, the document goes beyond what Scripture says when it claims any material support turns a man into a thief, robber, or cursed like Gehazi. The Lord Himself set up the principle that those who preach the gospel have a right to be supported by those they serve. ~1 Corinthians 9:14 says, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” ~1 Timothy 5:17-18 calls it being “worthy of double honour” and “the labourer is worthy of his reward.” The issue is the heart, not the support. Where the Bible gives the right and warns against abusing it for greed, we need to hold both truths. We should look at the circumstances in each case and decide according to Scripture.

 

[TitusTwoWife]

At the same time, the document goes beyond what Scripture says when it claims any material support turns a man into a thief, robber, or cursed like Gehazi. The Lord Himself set up the principle that those who preach the gospel have a right to be supported by those they serve. ~1 Corinthians 9:14 says, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” ~1 Timothy 5:17-18 calls it being “worthy of double honour” and “the labourer is worthy of his reward.” The issue is the heart, not the support. Where the Bible gives the right and warns against abusing it for greed, we need to hold both truths. We should look at the circumstances in each case and decide according to Scripture.

A minister had a spiritual right to food and drink while ministering, not money. That's the laborers reward.

 

[TitusTwoWife]

Timothy 5:17-18 calls it being “worthy of double honour” and “the labourer is worthy of his reward.”

1 Timothy 5:17-18

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

The reward is honour. (EDITED).

 

[David]

But I am with you on this. It makes people who actually read the bible and know it very sad to see how bad it has gotten.

 

[David]

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
~ Luke 21:1-4

Jesus says, “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”

This passage is almost always taught the wrong way. People turn it into a lesson about sacrificial giving, but that is not what Jesus is doing. He never tells anyone to give like the widow. He never praises her. He never draws out any principle about giving at all. That idea is being read into the text, not taken from it.

If you look at the context, the meaning becomes clear. Right before this moment, Jesus warns about the religious leaders and says they “devour widows’ houses” ~Luke 20:47. Then right after this, He announces judgment on the temple and its destruction. Right in between those two things, you see a poor widow giving everything she has. That is not a coincidence. That is the evidence of what He just condemned.

What Jesus points out is simple but devastating. The rich give out of their surplus, but this woman gives everything she has to live on. He does not praise it. He simply exposes it. This system has taken her last means of survival. She is not being lifted up as an example. She is being shown as a victim of a corrupt religious system that uses people instead of caring for them.

That is why this moment fits exactly where it is placed. Jesus has just condemned leaders who exploit the weak, and here is a living example of it happening in real time. A poor widow, already vulnerable, is giving her last coins in a system that has convinced her this is how she finds favor with God. That is not true worship. That is deception.

Scripture consistently shows that God’s heart is to care for the needy, not strip them of what little they have. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” ~James 1:27. Any system that takes from the poor while claiming to represent God is standing against Him, not serving Him.

So the weight of this passage lands hard. This is not a call to give everything away. It is a warning. False religion will take from the desperate, promise them blessing, and leave them with nothing. Jesus sees it, exposes it, and declares that judgment is coming on systems like that.

Listen here: Abusing the Poor


View attachment last-coin2.mp4

 

[bobinfaith]

Hello Linda, TitusTwoWife and David;

I read your truthful views supported by Scriptures along with author commentator Don Britton.

Much of what you’re saying is unfortunately true. I can also add a constructive testimony, the wrong motivation and direction of many seminary students.

Many with secular college degrees qualified for the masters of divinity at seminary for those led to pastor a Church, or a PhD to teach as a professor at seminary. Where many seminaries failed was the lack of teaching vision of ministry to the student.

For the last 26 years the wrong motive for pastoral or professorship was a goal for a career, with a solid salary, medical benefits with a financial portfolio for the future. After a few years at a given Church, the minister or prof eyed a bigger or better opportunity, usually with an increase in salary, benefits and the ability to purchase a home.

Don Britton, Author, commentator, lead Pastor for 50 plus years served right here in Northern California. I have read his constructive, yet truthful writings in many areas of salaries paid to pastors but for wrong reasons, along with the outcome.

I’m not a critique of Pastor Britton. I can only share a different picture painted of ministers who receive salaries in a different view and circumstances.

I was called into ministry 31 years ago. I hold a masters degree of theological studies, I studied for 15 years and was ordained as a Lead Pastor.

I am on the “other side,” of the pastoral ministry, so to speak, serving as a Lead Pastor along with my other fellow pastors and professor teachers. I also maintain long relationships with 5 or 6 “mentor” and seasoned pastors who to this day hold me accountable.

I originally was called by God while formerly serving as a deacon and an elder. My former pastor encouraged me to take just one class at seminary. I didn’t have much confidence studying Theology, Preaching, Missiology, etc…By God’s grace he opened doors for further study until I earned my masters.

Two things that my fellow pastors, professors and mentors held in one accord; we served where God appointed us, another country where many Churches didn’t have a sanctuary. We didn’t get rich and many times had to stay within our means. The other thing is our called ministries was not a career.

Most of my salary was based on the Church’s budget. What I couldn’t afford is humbling. My wife and I didn’t choose the American or World dream. We did without. Our testimony is God provided everything, literally everything and we learned God’s blessings are abundant.

As to the debate whether a Pastor’s salary is or is not not Scriptural, I believe the Bible supports this and have lived by the Lord’s teaching for many years. Others did not receive a salary and relied on a secular job to support their family and themself. Had I believed otherwise then I would have held on to my accounting career which paid well.

For my brothers and sisters who are avid Bible students, please research the scriptures and if your understanding says otherwise or remains what you believe, then I respect you for that.

God bless everyone and your families.

Bob

 

[Yesua888]

Hello Linda, TitusTwoWife and David;

I read your truthful views supported by Scriptures along with author commentator Don Britton.

Much of what you’re saying is unfortunately true. I can also add a constructive testimony, the wrong motivation and direction of many seminary students.

Many with secular college degrees qualified for the masters of divinity at seminary for those led to pastor a Church, or a PhD to teach as a professor at seminary. Where many seminaries failed was the lack of teaching vision of ministry to the student.

For the last 26 years the wrong motive for pastoral or professorship was a goal for a career, with a solid salary, medical benefits with a financial portfolio for the future. After a few years at a given Church, the minister or prof eyed a bigger or better opportunity, usually with an increase in salary, benefits and the ability to purchase a home.

Don Britton, Author, commentator, lead Pastor for 50 plus years served right here in Northern California. I have read his constructive, yet truthful writings in many areas of salaries paid to pastors but for wrong reasons, along with the outcome.

I’m not a critique of Pastor Britton. I can only share a different picture painted of ministers who receive salaries in a different view and circumstances.

I was called into ministry 31 years ago. I hold a masters degree of theological studies, I studied for 15 years and was ordained as a Lead Pastor.

I am on the “other side,” of the pastoral ministry, so to speak, serving as a Lead Pastor along with my other fellow pastors and professor teachers. I also maintain long relationships with 5 or 6 “mentor” and seasoned pastors who to this day hold me accountable.

I originally was called by God while formerly serving as a deacon and an elder. My former pastor encouraged me to take just one class at seminary. I didn’t have much confidence studying Theology, Preaching, Missiology, etc…By God’s grace he opened doors for further study until I earned my masters.

Two things that my fellow pastors, professors and mentors held in one accord; we served where God appointed us, another country where many Churches didn’t have a sanctuary. We didn’t get rich and many times had to stay within our means. The other thing is our called ministries was not a career.

Most of my salary was based on the Church’s budget. What I couldn’t afford is humbling. My wife and I didn’t choose the American or World dream. We did without. Our testimony is God provided everything, literally everything and we learned God’s blessings are abundant.

As to the debate whether a Pastor’s salary is or is not not Scriptural, I believe the Bible supports this and have lived by the Lord’s teaching for many years. Others did not receive a salary and relied on a secular job to support their family and themself. Had I believed otherwise then I would have held on to my accounting career which paid well.

For my brothers and sisters who are avid Bible students, please research the scriptures and if your understanding says otherwise or remains what you believe, then I respect you for that.

God bless everyone and your families.

Bob

Dear Bob,

Thank you for sharing your side of the "Pastor" story : )

At first glance it could look like your brother's and sister's could be in judgement of any pastor receiving a salary, but I would think/hope not : )

Romans 14:10-13; Matthew 7:1-5

We are having some very interesting posts of late, and often times the "poster" may not put things together very well, and so open themselves to criticism.

For example, my latest post, I think I was misunderstood, in my meaning. My intension was to put it out there, for the usual comments:

The Bible presents a tension where God is sovereign in salvation (electing those who believe) while simultaneously offering the gospel to all and expressing a desire that none should perish. Most traditions agree that salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, while damnation is the result of human rejection of that grace.

Romans 8:29-30 this verse is quite different to James 4:11-12
John 15:16; Acts 13:48; John 6:44 ... it is easy to mis-interpret these verses?

Please do not take me wrong, I am not against criticism, and do understand that sometimes posts are not clear enough, therefore misrepresented and misunderstood. Personally I must remember to create an "introduction", a "body", and a "conclusion" ... to make sure that we are all aware of the intension (the poster included).

However, I do believe that there is a lesson in everything, and for me it is to be very careful and thorough (regarding the interpretation of Scripture).

As for your dear Brother in Christ, we Love you!

I do hope that you and Hazel had a good rest, and that Hazel's health is improving

 

[David]

For my brothers and sisters who are avid Bible students, please research the scriptures and if your understanding says otherwise or remains what you believe, then I respect you for that.

Bob, thanks for jumping in with your testimony. It’s clear you didn’t chase the big salary or the American dream, and that God met your needs while you served where He put you. That lines up with the kind of heart Scripture calls for.

The Bible is plain on this. The Lord Himself set up the principle that those who preach the gospel have a right to be supported by the people they serve. ~1 Corinthians 9:14 says, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” Paul spells out the same idea in the whole chapter, comparing it to a soldier getting his pay, a vineyard owner eating the fruit, and an ox not being muzzled while it works. He calls it a right, not a sin. At the same time, Paul often chose not to use that right so he wouldn’t burden the churches or hinder the gospel. He worked as a tentmaker instead. ~1 Thessalonians 2:9. The issue Scripture keeps hammering is the heart, not the support itself. ~1 Peter 5:2 tells elders to feed the flock “not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” Greed turns a man into a hireling, exactly like Jesus warned in ~John 10:12-13.

Where the Bible gives the right and warns against abusing it for money, we hold both truths. It never commands a fixed salary, a career track, or seminary degrees as the model. It never commands tithing for the New Testament church either. That was Old Testament food support for Levites under the law, not money for buildings and staff. The New Testament pattern is cheerful, voluntary giving as each person purposes in his heart. ~2 Corinthians 9:7. No compulsion, no guilt trips, no professional clergy living off the sheep while the sheep get fleeced.

You lived it humbly and saw God provide. That’s between you and the Lord. But when the system itself drifts into what looks like the hireling model Jesus condemned, Scripture calls us to test it against the Word, not against tradition or personal experience. The corruption you mentioned in seminaries chasing careers is real, and the Bible warns against it because the love of money is still a root of evil. Thanks for the honest take.

 

[TitusTwoWife]

Hello Linda, TitusTwoWife and David;

I read your truthful views supported by Scriptures along with author commentator Don Britton.

Much of what you’re saying is unfortunately true. I can also add a constructive testimony, the wrong motivation and direction of many seminary students.

Many with secular college degrees qualified for the masters of divinity at seminary for those led to pastor a Church, or a PhD to teach as a professor at seminary. Where many seminaries failed was the lack of teaching vision of ministry to the student.

For the last 26 years the wrong motive for pastoral or professorship was a goal for a career, with a solid salary, medical benefits with a financial portfolio for the future. After a few years at a given Church, the minister or prof eyed a bigger or better opportunity, usually with an increase in salary, benefits and the ability to purchase a home.

Don Britton, Author, commentator, lead Pastor for 50 plus years served right here in Northern California. I have read his constructive, yet truthful writings in many areas of salaries paid to pastors but for wrong reasons, along with the outcome.

I’m not a critique of Pastor Britton. I can only share a different picture painted of ministers who receive salaries in a different view and circumstances.

I was called into ministry 31 years ago. I hold a masters degree of theological studies, I studied for 15 years and was ordained as a Lead Pastor.

I am on the “other side,” of the pastoral ministry, so to speak, serving as a Lead Pastor along with my other fellow pastors and professor teachers. I also maintain long relationships with 5 or 6 “mentor” and seasoned pastors who to this day hold me accountable.

I originally was called by God while formerly serving as a deacon and an elder. My former pastor encouraged me to take just one class at seminary. I didn’t have much confidence studying Theology, Preaching, Missiology, etc…By God’s grace he opened doors for further study until I earned my masters.

Two things that my fellow pastors, professors and mentors held in one accord; we served where God appointed us, another country where many Churches didn’t have a sanctuary. We didn’t get rich and many times had to stay within our means. The other thing is our called ministries was not a career.

Most of my salary was based on the Church’s budget. What I couldn’t afford is humbling. My wife and I didn’t choose the American or World dream. We did without. Our testimony is God provided everything, literally everything and we learned God’s blessings are abundant.

As to the debate whether a Pastor’s salary is or is not not Scriptural, I believe the Bible supports this and have lived by the Lord’s teaching for many years. Others did not receive a salary and relied on a secular job to support their family and themself. Had I believed otherwise then I would have held on to my accounting career which paid well.

For my brothers and sisters who are avid Bible students, please research the scriptures and if your understanding says otherwise or remains what you believe, then I respect you for that.

God bless everyone and your families.

Bob

Hi Bob,

I don't think every pastor who enters ministry with a salary begins with a corrupt heart. Paid ministry is a widely accepted practice. However, I do believe that the system is broken and that the money involved creates a perverse incentive against preaching and living out truths that might offend congregants. I believe the pressures of church as a business model stifles pastors in their calling.

I appreciate your perspective and I hope and pray your wife is well and improving.

 

[bobinfaith]

Hi Bob,

I don't think every pastor who enters ministry with a salary begins with a corrupt heart. Paid ministry is a widely accepted practice. However, I do believe that the system is broken and that the money involved creates a perverse incentive against preaching and living out truths that might offend congregants. I believe the pressures of church as a business model stifles pastors in their calling.

I appreciate your perspective and I hope and pray your wife is well and improving.

Good morning, TitusTwoWife;

Thank you for your prayers, and sharing The Corruption of the Clergy. It’s a good discussion.

We’re also keeping you and your husband in our prayers.

Bob and Hazel