-THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS PURSE-

Part three

III. Houses and Lands

"Is it wrong for a pastor to own his own home?" The Levites of old were not given an inheritance in Israel: they were provided with homes in various cities. These homes could be used by them as long as they lived, but they owned no houses or lands. Is it therefore wrong for a pastor to own his home? NO! A THOUSAND TIMES "NO!" but he may expose himself to a thousand troubles, for if he preaches a message that is doctrinally and practically sound, people are not apt to hear it he may very well lose a large part of his congregation. Now if he owns houses and lands, it may place him under such financial strain that to meet his payments, he may have to resort to an "outside" job. Then, what happens to his ministry? What suffers? --the ministry! And it is foolish to attempt to argue that the ministry will not suffer because a "double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8)

Is it wrong for a pastor, then, to own his own home? No! but he may expose himself to many troubles.

IV. If it is proper for servants of God to "forsake their nets", then whose duty is it to care for them? Hear the Word --

I Timothy 5:17,18 – "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of DOUBLE HONOR especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.’ And, ‘the laborer is worthy of his reward.’"

I Corinthians 9:9-14 --"For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.’ Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that ‘he that ploweth should plow in hope.’ IF WE HAVE SOWN UNTO YOU SPIRITUAL THINGS IS IT A GREAT THING IF WE REAP YOUR CARNAL THINGS? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power, but suffer all things lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ. DO YE NOT KNOW THAT THEY WHICH MINISTER ABOUT HOLY THINGS LIVE OF THE THINGS OF THE TEMPLE? AND THEY WHICH WAIT AT THE ALTAR ARE PARTAKERS WITH THE ALTAR? EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED THAT THEY WHICH PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOULD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL."

It is evident the church of Corinth did not heed this first admonition because of Paul’s instructions in the Second Epistle, chapter 11—

"Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached the Gospel of God freely? I ROBBED OTHER CHURCHES TAKING WAGES OF THEM TO DO YOU SERVICE. And when I was present with you and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself."

In verse 7, Paul questions his wisdom in preaching to them the Gospel of God "freely." In verse 9, he declares he has kept himself from becoming a "burden." But in verse 5, we learn that the passage is a rebuke to the Corinthian Church for not supplying his needs: "I ROBBED other churches", he says, "taking wages of them to do you service."

To the Philippian saints, the Apostle Paul wrote, "Yet I suppose it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that MINISTERED TO MY WANTS. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him, therefore, the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: BECAUSE FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST HE WAS NIGH UNTO DEATH, NOT REGARDING HIS LIFE, TO SUPPLY YOUR LACK OF SERVICE TOWARD ME!" (2:25-30)

Here is a stern rebuke to the church at Philippi for their "lack of service" toward him. But this has not always been the case, for he says to them, "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, NO CHURCH COMMUNICATED WITH ME AS CONCERNING GIVING AND RECEIVING BUT YE ONLY. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."

TO RETURN TO THE TABERNACLE: "And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, ‘This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying, "Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a WILLING HEART let him bring it, an offering of the Lord...And every WISE-HEARTED among you shall come and make all that the Lord hath commanded....’" And "they came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom His spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted...." (Exodus 35:4,5,10;21,22a)

From this passage it is clear that for a sacrifice to be acceptable, it must be from a "willing" heart, and that only those whom God makes "wise-hearted" will give.

"But this I say, ‘He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace to abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work: (as it is written, ‘He hath dispersed abroad: he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever.’ Now he that ministereth seed for the sower both minister bread for your food and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS SERVICE NOT ONLY SUPPLIETH THE WANT OF THE SAINTS, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, AND FOR YOUR LIBERAL DISTRIBUTION UNTO THEM, AND UNTO ALL MEN; and by their prayers for you which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT." (II Corinthians 9:6-15)

Summary: "Should a pastor be "part-time" working at an "out-side" job?" --not unless it be a part of the ministry. He should learn to be content with what God graciously gives him.

"Whose duty is it to supply the necessities of the ministers of the saints?" Obviously, it is the duty of the saints.

"Is it wrong for a pastor to own houses and lands?" No, but he may expose himself to a thousand temptations.

May God in His goodness cause it to be said of the Gentiles and the Church what was said in former days of the Israelites and the Tabernacle, "The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.’ And Moses gave commandment, and caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." SO THE PEOPLE WERE RESTRAINED FROM BRINGING." (Exodus 36:5,6)