Well now, you know, some folks just can’t seem to get enough of that money, not even when they’re supposed to be doin’ the Lord’s work. I’ve seen it, heard it, and I reckon it’s more common than you think. You got these pastors, folks who stand up there and talk about God’s Word, but in the back of their minds, all they’re thinkin’ about is how much they can pocket. I tell ya, it don’t sit right with me at all.
You see, the Bible’s mighty clear about all this. Now, one of them scriptures says, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Luke 16:13). You don’t gotta be no fancy theologian to understand that, right? It’s as plain as day—if you’re all wrapped up in money, you ain’t truly servin’ God, no sir.
And then, there’s that Paul fella, the one who wrote a heap of letters in the New Testament. He made it real clear too. He wasn’t interested in any of that greedy stuff. Paul said, “I’ve been hungry and thirsty, and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” (2 Corinthians 11:27). See? He didn’t have a bed of roses, but he never let that get in the way of doin’ the Lord’s work. Now, how many of these money-hungry pastors can say the same?
And, you know, Paul wasn’t one to just ask for handouts either. When he worked, he worked for it. In 1 Corinthians 9:18, Paul says he spread the Good News free of charge. Ain’t that something? He didn’t want folks to think he was out there preachin’ just to get paid. He didn’t use the rights he had to make a living off the Gospel. That’s a powerful example for anyone claimin’ to preach in God’s name.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The Bible also tells us that pastors should be respected and paid well for the work they do. In 1 Timothy 5:17, it says, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preachin’ and teachin’.” So, it ain’t that preachers shouldn’t be taken care of, no sir. They should be. But there’s a big difference between bein’ supported for your work and livin’ like a king off the backs of folks who’re already barely makin’ ends meet.
Paul, now, he didn’t want to be a burden on anybody. He made sure to say that the workers deserve their wages (1 Timothy 5:18). But he didn’t go around boastin’ about it, either. He knew the difference between bein’ grateful for what you got and turnin’ into a downright money-grubber. There’s a balance there that some folks just can’t seem to find. They forget the most important part of the whole thing—God comes first, not that stack of bills in their pocket.
There’s this other scripture, too, in Mark 6:7-8, where Jesus told His disciples to go out without money, trustin’ in God to provide for them. They didn’t carry a purse or extra shoes, but relied on the kindness of strangers. You think about that—Jesus didn’t tell ‘em to go out lookin’ for a fat paycheck. He told ‘em to trust in God and let Him take care of things. That’s what a true minister should do. Not standin’ up there preachin’ about faith and then goin’ home to count their money.
And if you really want to get into it, let’s talk about Judas. Now, I know he’s remembered for his betrayal of Jesus, but he also had the job of managein’ the money. In John 12:6, it says Judas was a thief and used to help himself to what was put in the money bag. Even then, people knew money could corrupt a person’s heart. You can’t serve both God and money—one’s gonna pull you one way, and the other’s gonna pull you the other.
But, look, there’s more to it than just money. The heart behind it all matters. Paul didn’t preach for the sake of riches or fame. He wasn’t lookin’ to build a big ol’ mansion off the Gospel. He was content with what he had, and he taught the same for others. In Philippians 4:11-12, he talks about being content in any situation—whether he had plenty or was in need. That’s a lesson for any preacher or pastor, if you ask me. Be content with what God provides and keep your focus on Him, not on gettin’ rich.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some good pastors out there who know the balance. They do their job well, they teach the Word, and they’re taken care of by the folks who appreciate their work. But when you see someone who’s all about the money, well, that’s a red flag, ain’t it? We need to be careful who we’re followin’, ‘cause it’s easy to get led astray by someone more interested in their wallet than their faith.
So, to all the preachers out there, and the ones who’ll be preachin’ in the future: Keep your hearts in the right place. Don’t let money get in the way of your calling. Serve God first, and trust that He’ll take care of you. You can’t serve both Him and that dollar bill at the same time. And if you’re in it for the right reasons, then God will provide, just like He always has.
Tags：[money-hungry pastors, serve God, Paul the Apostle, pastors and money, gospel preaching, biblical teachings, faith over money, church leadership, 1 Timothy, Luke 16:13, Bible lessons, Judas betrayal]
