RenCi Monk, Catholic Priest Kang,church pastors : Should they get rich?
We have seen enough of those whom we thought responded a the Call to serve yet got into trouble with the law.
NKF big boss, the catholic priest Kang, Ren Ci monk are recent high profile cases. You do not need to be religious or subscribe to any charitable work to wonder why people like them who responded to a calling ended up in a mess.
Why does a monk, a priest or a pastor wants to stay in a condo ? Why do they want to find ways to make lots of money for themselves especially when they believe in their call to serve with abstinence typifying their noble calling?
One would argue that if their flock can get rich why can’t they? Well, their flock did not enter the order or “sacrifice” themselves to the same cause as these high profile men did. It is not a case ” if you can do it why can’t I?”.
Another argument is that they are all human and we all make mistakes. Yes we are all fallible but does that mean anything goes? What is noble, integrity, proper, even holy(that is our call by Christ) shines brightly because we are human yet we do what it takes to overcome our weakness BECAUSE of our calling and DESPITE our foibles and falilures.
“Rich” is a measure of possession. The richer you are the more you possess something. In the spiritual realm, it is not what you possess but what is the spirit at work as a result of your possession. Your spirit also manifest what you are possessing and is at work in the depth of your character ( your soul?)
What is your spirit as a monk who made a vow of abstinence, still got rich from the support the flock donated to your cause? How does it affect the message of your calling?
Is your behaviour causing others to stumble even when you think you have the Right? The modern world dislike the word righteousness. Every time the word righteousness is mentioned you may be smeared with accusation of SELF-righeouness (which has a totally separate meaning).
Rightousness often requires one to give up one’s rights for righteousness sake. It is called sacrifice.
Maybe some men are not aware when they signed on the dotted line of giving their lives dedicated to a ministry. The constant fear of supporting oneself if the congregation abandons you may be a strong factor that drives such men to distractions.
For many christian churches, a full time minister may view his vocation as a job more than a calling so can he become rich in any way? Can his wife carry designer bags or wear jewels? What about other people in the church? Is they can why can’t I? Of course you can, but what are the implications?
What spirit is at work. Are you drawing attention to yourself? For example, are you name dropping? Are you constantly reminding people where you stay? Hinting that your addres is up market? What is your spirit that is at work? Doesn’t the flock know where to find you? These questions are relevant regardless of what social status you perched on in church or outside. Remember we are all ministers. Biblically speaking there is no such thing as full time paid minister! ( I shall comment more in another article)
I just heard from my non-Christian relative that his new tenant who will rent his huge bungalow with swimming pool is a pastor of a megachurch. Why would a church pay so much rental to house a pastor? a rental of $15-20 K per month. What kind of pastor who claims to shepherd Christ’s flock demands or accept such a package? What message does it convey to this non-christian landlord? A message of Christ crucified or ??? marketing methodology/psychology glorified?
1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
Is Peter referring specifically to hair dressing, jewellry and clothings? Is there more to it? Is he being legalistic?
The question of one’s spirit is still the main focus. Regardless of hairstyle, jewellry, clothing and im modern day context designer labels, are you drawing attention to yourself or to Christ?
Same question is pertinent too when one is on the pulpit. Is the pulpit a place to raise your talent, your achievements or Christ cruficied?
Add comment August 8th, 2008
