When I worked in a church not so very long ago I was amazed at how much money was spent on “ministry”. In particular pastor salaries. I do not know if having high salaries is the norm in other churches, but where I was…

The youth pastors always had the bling bling. That is they bought houses, always had the latest technology, traveled extensively (and even used the church to fund personal trips), and never really worked.

They were required to spend a certain amount of time in the office, but always seemed to be in coffee shops with the youth kids. Now do not get me wrong here I think spending time with the youth is a great thing and in fact I admire people who do that, but using it as a way to get out of being responsible…umm. The time spent in coffee shops was paid by the church, the gas money, the food, and any time with one kid counted towards money in their pockets.

Parents brought the youth pastors food on a daily basis. It was literally a parade of food. Cooked food that had instructions of how long to heat it, frozen food with gift cards, invitations to dinner, and more. I am pretty sure the four years I worked there the youth pastors possibly purchased 3 meals for themselves.

Making as much money as they did always bothered me because I saw how it was used and really what they were and were not doing. The thing that always amazed me is that the youth parents never complained when they did not know what was going on or only certain “groups” of kids always seemed to be going places while the others were left out.

Granted I was in a very messed up church, but where is the responsibility? Being in a place of ministry does not entitle oneself to live a life of bling bling.

Eventually the crapola hit the fan and pastors started scattering. One youth pastor left (along with 5 other pastors..leaving a grand total of a worship minister on staff) and with him went most of the bling bling. Through this all it left a bad taste in my mouth for church and money.

To get me started on how much money is spent on making the service “inviting” to outsiders is crazy. Lights, cameras, laptops, sound systems, wireless mics, props, programs, t-shirts for volunteers, and thing I can not even think of now…what is all this for? Is it to stroke an ego? Fill the need to play with toys? Or is it ministry?

I admit there was a time when I was caught up in all this and even now I have to put myself in a state of constant check. It is so easy to think we deserve more because we are doing God’s work.

My mind wanders to Matthew 10:9-10

Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

Are we worthy of our keep?

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