The other problem is that Christians tend to judge every pastor by their own definition of "greedy." And, if they don't happen to like the pastor, suddenly it is assumed he is "false."
Somehow there is "worthy of his labor." And I really do think owning a jet is beyond what I'd think for "fair wages," but some pastors are well known enough to be asked to go to other churches, to conferences, and even to stadiums. (Billy Graham comes to mind for stadiums.) So I don't know when owning your own jet is responsible use of money. Atlanta's airport was shut down for five hours over a power outage. Winter is here, so other airports will shut down over snow. If a stadium of people are waiting for a guy, and he's stuck in an airport...? I'm thinking private jet is too much, but maybe because I'm still stuck thinking an Audi is my dream purchase. Hard for me to know how to judge, but I don't want to judge over personal-opinion.
I truly would like to figure out how to see this biblically.
Lynn,
I want to say again that I really appreciate you approaching this controversial issue fairly and honestly.
I think we obviously have all kinds of issues going on here:
we have conmen making fortunes, we have decent pastors suffering far below the salaries they really need, we have people in the middle making a reasonable sounding income, we have pastors making large armounts at large churches quite probably because they are truly just extraordinary and blessed accordingly, and we probably have pastors making large amounts at large churches just because they're greedy or their governing body is ridiculous.
I think we have all kinds of different things going on.
So what would be some biblical principles governing these issues?
1. If you don't feel something is right at your church, you can talk to the pastors and elders, and share your thoughts, and see how they respond.
2. If you feel convicted they are not acting biblically and responsibly with money, you can choose to leave.
3. What are some bible principles to tell IF the church is acting biblically and responsibly with money?
Maybe this is where we should focus the discussion, and I'll just offer a small starting place.
A. Since there is no prescribed amount set for a pastor's salary, we have to arrive at it some other way.
B. There seem to be 3 general ways, that I can think of, to asses a salary:
1) Look at PRACTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
What can your church afford, what does your pastor need to reasonably live, what do your people feel is reasonable, what amount above his necessities do you want to give to bless him for his faithfulness etc. etc.
2) Look at the HEARTS OF THE PASTORS & ELDERS:
Examine their hearts to if they are good-hearted in their monetary decisions, or just greedy.
3) Look at BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES about MONETARY PRIORITIES:
What are the most important things to spend money on, and what should our monetary priorities be.
(Keep in mind that all three of these areas, even "practical circumstance" are covered by biblical principles.)
C. Further notes on LOOKING AT THE HEARTS OF THE PASTORS & ELDERS.
(One of the 3 assessment methods extrapolated.)
1) - The Bible says we CAN knows someone's heart.. at least the general direction of his heart.
2) - We can know someone's heart in 2 ways:
a) Examine the FRUITS OF HIS LIFE
We can examine
spiritual fruits like his character and behavior, and
physical fruits like accomplishments in ministry .. evangelizing, teaching, discipling, outreach, missions, etc)
b) Examining his WORDS
The bible says the mouth speaks out of the heart, so a person's words show his heart... if we listen long enough, and carefully enough.)
* These are a few quick thoughts about BIBLE PRINCIPLES governing this topic.
* I'm sure you guys can come up with a lot more.