Though there are a thousand righteous pastors and evangelists who are honorable within the congregation and with their financial contributions, there always seems to be one large congregation and media-present pastor and evangelist who is not. They love money more than Jesus. They do not live in the eyes of the Lord and men. Their greed hinders the advance of the gospel. The secular media use their dishonor as a means to support their belief that all Christians are hypocrites.
Yet, are the mega-church ministers the only ones guilty of robbing God and the congregation they swear they love? I at times wonder why it seems that hundreds of thousands of volunteers within congregations and ministries are nameless, yet remain in service to the Lord and the church, never seeking profit or support for years. Paul and Titus were such men.
The Bible is clear on the dire need for proper conduct when dealing with offerings. 1 Samuel 2:17 refers to the great sin of young men “who were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.” In contrast to these, Samuel and Moses stated before the Lord, “I have not taken from them.” (1 Samuel 12:3, Numbers 16:15) Judas, though an apostle, stole from the collective funds and, in the end, betrayed Jesus and hanged himself. (John 12:6) Ananias and his wife lied about their offering, in effect stealing from the church, and the Holy Spirit struck them down. With such evidence, what does the word reveal about others who only show regret when they are caught? Be righteous in even small material offerings. Keep fully visible all the financial interactions of the church as Paul did according to these verses.
