Qualifications: Wise AttitudeAnd what else is one whom we might consider calling as a pastor to be? “Not greedy for money”. Some modern translations miss this qualification out, apparently believing it to be included in the last word of this verse. However, it is there in the manuscripts normally considered as the textus receptus, and it does not conflict. The question therefore is, Does the man being considered for the pastorate have a good attitude to riches? Or does he have an eye for a good salary? It has come to light recently that there is an expectation by some men that the church will provide a private health scheme, on top of many other expectations. But is it not important to know how much a man believes that the Lord will provide all that is necessary, and who will then look to Him by faith in His goodness and trust in His ability to provide all the needs? If a man comes into the ministry expecting a good salary, one begins to wonder why he is looking in this direction at all! It is something to be aware of. Surely, we take warning from such a case as Annas and Sapphira, in the incident recorded in Acts 5, over their own hopes of making a buck or two from the sale of their land, and yet seeking to make an impression by giving the proceeds to the Lord.
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