Wouldn't true men of God, only take what they need to live and survive and give the rest to the poor?
2007-03-30 04:35:13 · 27 answers · asked by G.C. 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Joel Osteen for one...very respected...yes, he is a televangelist...what about the pastors of the mega churches...FBC/Plano, Tx..one of the largest SBC churches in the country...my small town church pastor...membership of 1000....attendance of 250...gets 60,000.00 per year...plus car allowance...a lot more than the average wage
2007-03-30 04:55:05 · update #1
The vast majority of pastors don't live lavish lifestyles. You cannot look at some televangelists and then use them as the gold standard for what a pastor is.
Most pastors must take "real" jobs to support their families, because the church cannot afford to pay enough to pay the bills of the church and provide a decent salary for the pastor.
Most churches in the U.S. have 50 members or less. Do the math, that is not a lot of potential income.
Naturally, there are churches that can afford a decent salary for a pastor, and some might even provide "lavish" salaries for them. But those churches probably have large congregations, and pastors are on call at all hours of the day and night. They manage a lot of people and resources. Would you deny an equivalent salary to a company owner or president?
2007-03-30 04:42:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well he is sort of right the bigger church pastors rake in a good amount of money. But the smaller church preachers tend to make very little. And there alot more smaller churches then big churches. It's an unfair statement to use as some kind of justification for disliking churches though. It saddens me that there so many that turn away from the church due to hate instead of logic.
2007-03-30 11:48:18 · answer #2 · answered by Beaverscanttalk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I haven't met the pastors you are referring to, although I know they exist. I guess each one will answer to God for what he does.
Although a "lavish lifestyle" could be considered rather relative.
I own a tercel, and a small house, and a computer. That, in some parts of the world, could be considered to be a lavish lifestyle, while people around me consider that I live on a bare minimum.
A pastor who is ministering to the Beverly Hills community, would be expected to live in a home in that area. Hopefully, however, the community that would be supporting him would be contributing a great deal together to make the world a better place for the poor.
All that makes your question hard to answer. However, I agree that Christianity should be really rethinking our material priorities.
2007-03-30 11:42:24 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do so many atheists get paid so much, and live lavish lifestyles?
Wouldn't true men of the world, only take what they need to live and survive and give the rest to the poor
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Why would a pastor (who is supposed to be paid his due) give away all his money, while the lawyers, doctors, politicians in the congregation, who are also supposed to, by your statement, take only what they need to survive, allowed to get rich?
Monetary wealth is a red herring and irrelevant. It's what you do with the money that matters.
And monetary wealth is the world's measuring stick, not God's.
2007-03-30 11:42:28 · answer #4 · answered by awayforabit 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pastors of large churches get paid in keeping with the size of the church. It is like a large corporation and the Pastor is paid a salary, plus gets a home and cars.
Pastors of some small churches barely get paid.
2007-03-30 11:40:55 · answer #5 · answered by 1sweet lady 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So many? I agree that Pastors are not called to live lavish lifestyles, but I can't really count that many on my hands that do. I could think of a few. I know God sometimes blesses pastors with money, but some flaunt it a bit which I find a little over the line.
2007-03-30 11:40:10 · answer #6 · answered by chocobocharmer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
pastoring a 24 hour a day job if you are doing it correctly and you shouldn't have time to work another full time job. the bible says that the man of God should be 10 times more blessed than themost blessed person in the church. the bible also says that everyone in the church has to pay 10 percent of their increase to the man of God. why shouldn't the man of God live a lavish lifestyle. Doctors, CEO's, Lawyers do. the man of God watches out for you and your soul the most important part of you. why shouldn't he
2007-03-30 11:43:32 · answer #7 · answered by carly sue 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Which pastors are you referring to? Most pastors live on very slim salaries. The average church has a membership of about 200 people whose offerings go to all the church expense, not just a pastor's salary. Most churches have more than one staff person. Your exxagerations demonstrates a lack of knowledge on your part. Grow up!
2007-03-30 11:39:30 · answer #8 · answered by Scott B 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The fact is, there is not enough thinking people to question it. That being the case - why not live it up.
The issue is really not so much different than the money going into an extravagant and luxurious church. There are people starving - hello?
2007-03-30 12:03:25 · answer #9 · answered by Theodore K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not that pastors get paid lots its that they are faithful in giving there tithes to God and he blesses the double because of it. God told us that if we obey his word and give faithfully to him he will give us all the riches of the world. We all can have the same thing we just need to have their faith and trust. You should take into consideration that most pastors give up everything they have in order to join the ministry and the "lavish" lifestyle they are now living is well deserved and not without hardships.
2007-03-30 11:40:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋