John MacArthur

[AustinC]

I would say that is common sense.

So, not biblical, but in your mind, rational.

 

[Reynolds]

Why should a pastor have = money to the average of the congregation? Dr. MacArthur has made a lot of money selling books. Should he have to distribute money he’s rightly earned to help those who aren’t as wealthy as him?

Probably so. This entire board has become pretty socialistic lately.

 

[SovereignGrace]

Probably so. This entire board has become pretty socialistic lately.

I thought that and almost said it has a socialistic theme to it.

 

[Yeshua1]

Probably so. This entire board has become pretty socialistic lately.

Yep, as if Dr Mac makes his money from legit means, and is using it per God ways, who are we to judge, sounds like a case of coveting!

 

[Yeshua1]

I thought that and almost said it has a socialistic theme to it.

Guess Abraham would have really been blasted here!

 

[canadyjd]

Again "IMO" means nothing - this is now a legal matter. There have already been court cases.
As I stated before - in some denominations - a pastor is definitely an employee.

So to protect both the pastor and church - an agreement should be reached
as advised by Lifeway!
Who Owns a Pastor’s Sermon? - Lifeway Research

Unless you can show an otherwise legal status -
This is my last word on this.

I can only appeal to scripture. The pastor is not an employee. He is the leader of a voluntary fellowship of likeminded folks they pay him for his work.

I don’t really care what an attorney says.

But, last word is fine with me.

Thanks for the conversation

peace to you

 

[Dave G]

As a pastor who receives his income from ministry - do you think that three homes are excessive?

Yes.
We only need one.

His total income from the church, radio ministry and the university - is well into the six figures,

Notice what I've written in the underlined.
According to the Scriptures that tell us what qualifications the Lord's ministers are to have, I found this:

" This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." ( 1 Timothy 3:1-7 ).

Does he ( as well as many teachers today ) have a good report, even from unbelievers?

 

[Dave G]

would that amount be excessive?

Excessive?
To me that is an understatement.

Let me ask you a question...
Does it seem right, biblically, for someone to whom the Lord has given the oversight of one of His local assemblies, to essentially have that much money,
seeings that it was donated to him and his ministry...especially through solicitation ( his ministry does indeed send out mailers asking for donations )?

I'll put it another way:

What right does any man ( whom the Lord has tasked with using the spiritual gifts that were given to him by God ) have with profiting, to the tune of 14 million and 3 homes, off his brothers and sisters?
To me, none of the Lord's preachers or teachers should ever get rich off ministering to God's people...
It's their duty and their privilege in the body of Christ to serve Him... and for basically subsistence pay, should it come to them not having a full-time job of their own or being able to work for a living.

If they were made rich by other means ( like being a successful landowner or businessman who gave away much of his wealth to the poor and to the Lord's children who need it ),
then I could agree that there's nothing wrong with it.


Serving God's people does not constitute a "job".
It is an honor and a privilege given to an elder in the faith by their Lord and Saviour, and the job has its own reward...

Seeing one's brothers and sisters grow in the faith, and praising God for His gracious work in them and through him.