Many pastors, or for that matter campus ministry staffworkers fear confronting people about their sins. They fear speaking out openly against the rampant sexual immorality. In an article titled Can Christianity survive the sexual revolution?, the author asks:
"When was the last time anyone heard a sermon that condemned the evils of fornication, or adultery, or cohabitation, or divorce, or bearing children outside wedlock (let alone homosexuality)? Controlling these sins is a core Christian value. At one time a preacher could be expected to devote extended attention to these sins. And he could be expected to condemn them unequivocally. Yet today, even as the social and economic fallout from precisely these practices becomes ever more glaring and serious, pastors and priests seem ever more determined to avoid discussing them."
Many pastors and missionaries today from what I gather have much debts to pay off. Almost everyone in the 21st century West is indebted in some way or another. Thus, it should be no surprise that pastors and missionaries are exempt. Many rely on the offering, government tax exemptions or university grants in the case of campus ministries. As such they fear offending people, which they perceive from an earthly perspective as a threat to their work.
You may say, "Of course they are fearful. They need money for their families." You may even argue that if they were not fearful, it is sin because of 1 Timothy 5:8 which says "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." You may be one of those people and use this verse as an excuse to be anxious for obtaining the earthly needs of yourself and those you care for, and therefore related to you, yourself and you.
What 1 Timothy 5:8 refers to is the attitude and heart of the person, not the person's outward ability to provide for their family financially.
There are many verses in the Bible which make it very clear God will provide if you seek His way. Thus, there is NO excuse for being anxious after one's earthly needs and that of one's family:
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring itto pass (Psalm 37:5).
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).
The need to care for one's family is not an excuse to be anxious for earthly physical needs. The church needs to heed God's Word about His Provision wholeheartedly to persevere in the faith in a world that is ever increasingly hostile against not only God, but God's true people - the true Church.
The days of being able to rely of government tax exemptions, offerings and university grants are gone.
"When was the last time anyone heard a sermon that condemned the evils of fornication, or adultery, or cohabitation, or divorce, or bearing children outside wedlock (let alone homosexuality)? Controlling these sins is a core Christian value. At one time a preacher could be expected to devote extended attention to these sins. And he could be expected to condemn them unequivocally. Yet today, even as the social and economic fallout from precisely these practices becomes ever more glaring and serious, pastors and priests seem ever more determined to avoid discussing them."
Many pastors and missionaries today from what I gather have much debts to pay off. Almost everyone in the 21st century West is indebted in some way or another. Thus, it should be no surprise that pastors and missionaries are exempt. Many rely on the offering, government tax exemptions or university grants in the case of campus ministries. As such they fear offending people, which they perceive from an earthly perspective as a threat to their work.
You may say, "Of course they are fearful. They need money for their families." You may even argue that if they were not fearful, it is sin because of 1 Timothy 5:8 which says "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." You may be one of those people and use this verse as an excuse to be anxious for obtaining the earthly needs of yourself and those you care for, and therefore related to you, yourself and you.
What 1 Timothy 5:8 refers to is the attitude and heart of the person, not the person's outward ability to provide for their family financially.
There are many verses in the Bible which make it very clear God will provide if you seek His way. Thus, there is NO excuse for being anxious after one's earthly needs and that of one's family:
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring itto pass (Psalm 37:5).
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).
The need to care for one's family is not an excuse to be anxious for earthly physical needs. The church needs to heed God's Word about His Provision wholeheartedly to persevere in the faith in a world that is ever increasingly hostile against not only God, but God's true people - the true Church.
The days of being able to rely of government tax exemptions, offerings and university grants are gone.
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