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Acts 20:28-35 – Being a Stumbling Block Paying the Preacher
Acts 20:28-35 – It has been suggested that Paul moves somewhat abruptly from false doctrine to filthy lucre. Possibly the connection is that often money is the motive for false teaching. If, so then what a warning to every paid preacher! But wait, there is a warning here to churches too. Can a church (i.e., elders, Christians) starve a preacher (I have been apologized to for having been starved by a church)? Can a church become a stumbling block to a minister who feels guilty for the financial suffering of his family? Remember, preachers are men and by God’s design internally feel the need to provide for their families. The old adage that a church and God work together to keep the preacher “poor and humble,” that the Lord will keep him humble, and the church will keep him poor, can be a temptation to the preacher and a sign of greed, covetousness, even jealousy in the congregation – “Wish I had a job where I only work two days a week.” Do churches want to cause preachers to fall, tempting them give in to the sin of not teaching the whole truth so that he can feed his family? For the preacher, it is not usually a question of more money, but enough. What did Jesus say about stumbling blocks? So what is the solution? Never make money the deciding factor. Don’t make a preacher chase money to protect his family. Provide for him like God ordered the Israelites to provide for priests. Understand that this is all a picture of grace. Jesus gave, because we were poor (2 Cor.8:9). The preacher is paid to be the mouth of God’s grace to those spiritually poor. If the preacher is teaching the truth, let him know you appreciate him in words and in monetary fellowship. Jesus said, “It is better to give than to receive.” And trust me, every preacher wishes he did not have to receive.
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