It has been a busy day, and I am only halfway done, but I am blessed, Father, with Your presence and guidance! Use me as You will now and the rest of today. Amen.
1 Corinthians 3:18-22 (<<click here to read the passage)
I really believe that one of the most problematic issues for the church is pastoral leadership – and that can be in the local church or anyone, leadership-wise, above that individual. I realize that it is not the norm, by far, but too often, it seems that some pastors let the “power” of their position go to their heads.
We hear of pastors who feel totally justified in getting rich. Granted, it’s essential to heed the words of the Apostle Paul found in 1 Timothy 5:17-18,
The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ]. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].” AMP
I am all for fair compensation for pastors’ hard work, but personal multi-million dollar jets? High-end homes with all the bells and whistles? Amongst many other things…it’s just too much!
Others, because of the power they hold, control the masses under them. It’s one thing if they are ardent followers of Christ, living out their lives in the emulation of their Lord and Savior. But it’s another thing altogether if they twist God’s word to say what they want it to, and anyone who questions them is booted from the fellowship.
I’ve seen too many examples of pastors who honestly find themselves in the right to demand total allegiance from their followers (aren’t we to be followers of Christ?) I’ve seen churches decimated because of such leadership. And it seems that in every situation, there are people who will follow those men and women to the ends of the earth…never questioning, never checking with God themselves to see if everything is on the up-and-up with the person they have chosen to follow.
Sadly, this mentality plagues us not just in the church but in our world as well. Regardless of contrary evidence, once we’ve latched on to a particular human leader who we think has all the answers or is bringing us into everything we want, we refuse to let go. We refuse to see any other viewpoint – thinking them all heresy in opposition to the “truth”. Our pride makes us value the messenger more than the message.*
Humanity before our eyes can be deceiving. We must be on our guard in all the many venues of life. God alone before our eyes enables us to rid ourselves of deception. We see things for what they really are, and we have nothing to fear.
Verses 21-23 wrap it up nicely.
So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you – whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Everything is under God’s control; if we look only to Him, we will not be deceived or led astray.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Oct 10th, 2023, Tues, 12:23 pm
