*Galatians 6:6*: _“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”_
Recently, I saw a statement online that struck me deeply:
_"When a pastor is pouring his all into the ministry and into his members, he is not a thief. But once the ministry starts pouring into the pastor, 'he's a thief, he's manipulative, he's using people's head.'"_
That statement is painfully true.
I have seen church folks label pastors as thieves simply because God is now blessing them, forgetting that no one saw them when they were sowing in tears and paying the price for that same ministry.
Years ago, my dad - a pastor of over four decades - received an SUV as a gift from someone. He parked it in front of his house beside a canal where people often came to do all sorts of things.
One day, a young man wanted to openly defecate in that canal. My dad cautioned him against such an ignoble act. The next thing the young man said was, "You don use church money buy jeep."
He wasn't even a church member - just a regular street guy. My dad was so troubled by that statement that he decided to address the whole church the following Sunday. He stood before everyone to explain that the vehicle was a personal gift, not bought with church funds. Because he knew some members might be thinking the same thing as that street guy.
This is the reality for many pastors.
The world does not like it when preachers prosper. Even inside the church, some people want their pastor to remain poor and beggarly, thinking poverty is a sign of piety. Sometimes it feels like the enemies of preachers are the very people they preach to.
But the truth is, it is NOT a crime if a preacher is blessed through the ministry where he labours, as long as there is order and accountability. He is a labourer.
_“The labourer is worthy of his reward.”_ *- 1 Timothy 5:18*
When a pastor is fasting, praying all night, counselling members, visiting the sick, spending his own money to do ministry - nobody calls him a thief. Everyone says, "What a dedicated man of God."
But the moment God begins to bless that same pastor - when the church grows and members begin to support him - suddenly the story changes: "He is now a thief."
This is a wrong mindset. If this describes your thought pattern, please change.
*Ministry is a seed.* First, the pastor sows himself into the people. Later, the people should sow back into the pastor. That is God's order.
_“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”_ *- 1 Corinthians 9:11*
Why do people think this way?
1. They think ministry work is only what the pastor does on Sunday. They think on other days he just sleeps, eats and plays. They don't see the secret labours.
2. Some have been hurt by fake preachers, so they assume every preacher is fake. Hear me: Not every preacher out there is fake.
If you are privileged to be under a faithful shepherd, it is your duty to honour him. Honour is not just "God bless you, sir." Honour includes material support. Lavish it on him. Genuine men of God are becoming scarce - honour the one you have with your substance.
A genuine minister will pour himself out in prayers, fasting, intercession and study for the flock. It is not too much to honour him back with love, food, gifts and appreciation. That is his harvest season.
Don't celebrate a pastor only when he is suffering, then accuse him when God finally blesses him.
_“...the Lord hath ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”_ *- 1 Corinthians 9:14*