I don’t know why I am still receiving notifications when I’ve turned it off on my settings, but since I still received it I’ll just reply.
I have heard your line of arguments countless times and they are nothing but lies. You accuse me of presenting a false dichotomy of rich and poor as a sign of true and false church, that’s not even my idea to begin with. Do you even read the Bible and its prophecies?
Read for yourself what Jesus said about the church that thinks they are rich and self sufficient and therefore God blessed;
Revelations 3:17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
Tell me then from the above prophesy where did Jesus ever say the “rich” church is blessed? So who are the blessed, it’s not the rich but the poor according to Jesus, not me:
Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Jesus and the Bible had many more things to say about the rich and none gives me the impression that they are blessed in any way:
Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
1 Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
James 5:1-6 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter
So ask yourself who you are really offended with, because in true fact you actually take offence at what the Bible says about the rich, so don’t point fingers at me.
I'm offended that you give me verses and highlight the parts that fit your narrative.
Each and every verse is talking about
corruption.
Revelations 3:18, the verse directly after 3:17, encourages the church in Laodicea to "buy from {the angel}
gold refined in the
fire {cleaned}, so you can
become rich." But aside from that, scholars themselves have a hard time determining which passages are meant to be symbolic or taken literally, so I, personally, wouldn't turn to this passage for just that reason. Moving on.
In Luke 6:20, Jesus isn't ridiculing the rich in this passage. He's giving hope to those who have been oppressed by the rich (most likely Romans and Pharisees), promising those who have lived hard lives eternal paradise. In Luke 6:24, Jesus is referring to the Pharisees, who had challenged him earlier in the chapter, and who are also known to use their influence over the law to make themselves rich and powerful over the people.
Luke 18:25 is referring to those who choose money over God. The rich man did everything he was told would let him inherit the kingdom of God, but he didn't want to give up his riches, which was obviously more important to him than eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:9 is referring to fake teachers and those who love money.
James is referring to rich oppressors.
If you actually read the context of each verse instead of doing a quick google search on what the Bible says about the rich and choosing verses that sound nice, you would know that each verse is talking about those who use their wealth and influence to oppress and ignore those less fortunate, and none of these verses refers to the church. Each verse discourages people from developing a
love for money and putting money above God and others, but that's not what this thread is about.
The thread asks if Pastors should receive salaries, and I say yes. Why? Because I believe that living in this world is hard, and if you don't have money, you won't be able to afford food, rent, etc. But, more than the bare necessities, I believe that pastors should also be able to take their families on vacation, to buy presents for their kids, and treat themselves, because they're people too, and people should be able to treat themselves, especially if they work hard enough for it. For what did God create this huge world with all it's wonders, all it's people who create such amazing things, if God's people can't go out and experience it for themselves?
I don't believe that anyone, especially pastors, should put money over God. Too much of anything isn't healthy, and money isn't an exception. But pastors should be able to take in the blessings of being abundant both financially and spiritually without judgement from the very members of their church, especially if they love God with all their hearts and aren't doing anything wrong.
And, no, I'm not offended over what the Bible says because I actually read the Bible, and I know what it says. And I'm not pointing any fingers at you (I'm sorry if I came across that way, it wasn't my intention), but it's clear to me that you have this idea about me as someone who doesn't know what I'm talking about, simply because I disagree with you. I hope that we can come to an understanding, that no one is persecuting you, and no one is trying to undermine your faith, and I would appreciate it if you didn't undermine mine. It's a shame that you shut off notifications, as I look forward to hearing your reply.
Bless you <3
