As years pass by and fights for the truth proceed, it becomes more and more evident that many preachers are up for sale. I don’t know why most preachers today don’t just post their “resume” on Ebay (a website that allows for the sale of merchandise through financial bids in which the highest bidder gets the product). The fact that preachers are for sale is not a new fact at all. Peter wrote: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (II Peter 2:1-3). It is no wonder that money often becomes a motivator for men to compromise the truth. Paul warned Timothy, a preacher of the word of God, saying: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (I Timothy 6:6-11). Preachers “looking for work” are most often worried about the funds they will receive. Many look for a congregation that is “self-supporting” or a congregation that is in a certain area or situation that will draw sympathy to easily gain outside support. Even a few who look to help struggling works may have money on their mind as they choose those works so they can use other churches to support them with more money than a “self-supporting” work would ever consider giving them. While preachers should be adequately supported (I Corinthians 9:14), there are also times wherein we must learn to be content with what we have (Philippians 4:11-12). Listen brethren, a man concerned about money is not going to care about souls. Jesus said: “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep” (John 10:12-13). Preachers are not all to blame in the situations we often find. Just as there are preachers looking to sell themselves and the truth, there are plenty of congregations willing to buy. Yes, a good amount of local support will draw a lot of preachers to a congregation. From experience, I can tell you that having to raise outside financial support to preach locally, which is authorized (II Corinthians 11:8 and Philippians 4:15-16), is miserable. Thus, when a congregation can fully support a fellow that congregation will have preachers contact them interested in a more financially secure work. Therefore, congregations are put into a position where they can really use money to their carnal advantages. Plenty of congregations are willing to use their funds to control the local preacher and they will even try to control the preachers they support. I have preached for at least two groups of so-called brethren who had tried to do that to me. This money game works like this: A congregation will “hire” (terminology foreign to the true work of a Gospel Preacher) a man to come and work “for them” (rather than with them). They will supply a beautiful financial package and plenty of perks like they are in corporate America looking to hire a new Public Relations Official. Once the new preacher (merely a hireling) starts to work FOR THEM, that preacher begins to be instructed on what to do and how to do it from the elders or men of the congregation (often influenced more by their wives than anything or anyone else). The preacher may try to stand his ground by offering a suggestion from the inspired Scriptures. This is mistake number one on the preacher’s part. Remember, he has been hired to work for them, not supported to work for the Lord. On this goes until the congregation gets the clear message across to the preacher – “YOU WORK FOR US AND YOUR PAYCHECK DEPENDS ON COMPLIANCE WITH OUR TERMS”. Yes, this starts preachers learning that money does make the brotherhood turn round and round. Is it any wonder when this happens, and it does often, that preachers start presenting themselves as products and services rather than messengers from God? Solomon wrote: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23). While the Lord’s body continues to be torn apart by hirelings and employers, there must be preachers who will not allow the truth to become a commodity that can be altered with a price. We are in an age of the “professional preacher” rather than a time where there are men who will speak the truth, exhort, and rebuke with all authority letting no man to despise them (Titus 2: 15). Brethren, local congregations need to let preachers know that they want men who will stand unwaveringly for the truth. Preachers need to let congregations know that they are not up for hire! Those of us who are not up for hire realize we’ve already been bought. Paul said: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (I Corinthians 6:20). We must therefore: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2). This one thing I do know, no matter how many preachers will sell out for a monetary price, this preacher is not for sale. Put your money away, I care only about souls! |
| Volume VII ~ Issue XIV ~ December 31st, 2006 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent
of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the
church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the
church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| Attention: Preacher for Sale By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| Congregations Often Buy Preachers and the Messages that are Preached |
| Conclusion |