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Financial accountability in the message: Difference between revisions
Financial accountability in the message (view source)
Revision as of 23:09, 15 November 2022
, 2 years ago→What the Bible teaches
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Paul tells us: | Paul tells us: | ||
:''But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of '''Titus''' the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. '''With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches''' for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but '''he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us''' as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. ''' We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.''' And with them we are ''' | :''But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of '''Titus''' the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. '''With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches''' for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but '''he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us''' as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. ''' We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.''' And '''with them we are sending our brother''' whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you'''.''' As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Cor 8:16–23.</ref>'' | ||
Money is a sensitive issue and frequently sparks controversy. The administration of an effort like the Jerusalem collection could easily give rise to allegations of mishandling of funds. | Money is a sensitive issue and frequently sparks controversy. The administration of an effort like the Jerusalem collection could easily give rise to allegations of mishandling of funds. 2 Cor. 8:16–23 show the kind of precautions Paul took to ensure the responsible handling and transportation of a considerable sum of money. | ||
We are taking pains, Paul says, to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men (v. 21). Taking pains translates a verb that means to “think about beforehand, plan ahead of time”. Such advance planning was needed to avoid any criticism of the way the offering was being administered (v. 20). Paul tries to have as little to do with the collection process as possible. In this way he hopes to eliminate any possibility of criticism (v. 20). | We are taking pains, Paul says, to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men (v. 21). Taking pains translates a verb that means to “think about beforehand, plan ahead of time”. Such advance planning was needed to avoid any criticism of the way the offering was being administered (v. 20). Paul tries to have as little to do with the collection process as possible. In this way he hopes to eliminate any possibility of criticism (v. 20). | ||
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The steps that Paul had already taken to avoid criticism are spelled out in 1 Corinthians. For one, he had insisted that the collection occur prior to his coming, so that he not be involved in the actual handling of the monies (1 Cor 16:2). Moreover, he had instructed the Corinthians to appoint their own representatives to accompany the collection, thereby exempting himself from any criticism regarding the transportation of the funds (1 Cor 16:3). Now, in 2 Corinthians Paul adds an additional precaution: he sends a trusted colleague to finish the collection effort, rather than going himself: Titus … is coming to you (2 Cor 8:17). This trusted colleague is well respected by the Corinthians and has already established a good working relationship with the church in the matter of giving (8:6). | The steps that Paul had already taken to avoid criticism are spelled out in 1 Corinthians. For one, he had insisted that the collection occur prior to his coming, so that he not be involved in the actual handling of the monies (1 Cor 16:2). Moreover, he had instructed the Corinthians to appoint their own representatives to accompany the collection, thereby exempting himself from any criticism regarding the transportation of the funds (1 Cor 16:3). Now, in 2 Corinthians Paul adds an additional precaution: he sends a trusted colleague to finish the collection effort, rather than going himself: Titus … is coming to you (2 Cor 8:17). This trusted colleague is well respected by the Corinthians and has already established a good working relationship with the church in the matter of giving (8:6). | ||
In addition to Titus, Paul sends two church representatives of proven worth and recognized stature to help Titus with the collection effort (v. 23). The first is merely referred to in the text as the brother (v. 18); no name is provided. But where a name is lacking, credentials are not. To the brother’s credit is the fact that he was chosen by the churches to accompany the offering (v. 19). This brother is also someone who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel (v. 18). | In addition to Titus, Paul sends two church representatives of proven worth and recognized stature to help Titus with the collection effort (v. 23). The first is merely referred to in the text as the brother (v. 18); no name is provided. But where a name is lacking, credentials are not. To the brother’s credit is the fact that he was chosen by the churches to accompany the offering (v. 19). This brother is also someone who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel (v. 18). The second church representative is unnamed as well. This individual, unlike the first, is well known to the congregation: our brother (v. 22). This raises the total that Paul sends in advance of his arrival to three persons.<ref>Linda L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians, vol. 8, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1996), 2 Co 8:16–24.</ref> | ||
What is clear is that Paul does not simply hold himself accountable to God. He also holds himself accountable to "men," those that have donated the funds. '''If Paul held himself accountable to men, how do message ministers )or anyone that deals with church funds for that matter) think they can get away without being accountable to those that donate to the church??''' | |||
=False teaching on tithing going to the pastor= | =False teaching on tithing going to the pastor= | ||
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The tithe funded the Levites (Num. 18:20–32). The Levites were scattered all over the country and were not just in Jerusalem at the temple. The Levites also included everyone in the tribe of Levi that worked in the temple - the priest, the song leaders and musicians, even the doormen and the janitors. In Num 18:21–32 it is laid down that the tithe must be paid to the Levites, not just to the priests: | The tithe funded the Levites (Num. 18:20–32). The Levites were scattered all over the country and were not just in Jerusalem at the temple. The Levites also included everyone in the tribe of Levi that worked in the temple - the priest, the song leaders and musicians, even the doormen and the janitors. In Num 18:21–32 it is laid down that the tithe must be paid to the Levites, not just to the priests: | ||
:''And the LORD said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your share and your allotment. As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel.<ref>Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Nu 18:20–21.</ref> | :''And the LORD said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your share and your allotment. As for '''the tribe of Levi, your relatives,''' I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, '''I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel'''.<ref>Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Nu 18:20–21.</ref>'' | ||
According to Numbers 18:26-28, the Levites paid ten percent of the tithe to the priests (who were also part of the tribe of Levi). Therefore, if the pastor is the New Testament equivalent of the Levitical priest, they should receive only got a small portion of the total tithe (ten percent of the tithe). | According to Numbers 18:26-28, the Levites paid ten percent of the tithe to the priests (who were also part of the tribe of Levi). Therefore, if the pastor is the New Testament equivalent of the Levitical priest, they should receive only got a small portion of the total tithe (ten percent of the tithe). | ||