Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Malachi 1: 10
Who [is there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? neither do ye kindle [fire] on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
Do Not Hire Every Errand Done—
Today, as in the days of Malachi, there are ministers who labor, not because they dare not do otherwise, not because the woe is upon them, but for the wages they are to receive. It is entirely wrong to hire every errand that is done for the Lord. The treasury of the Lord has been drained by those who have been only an injury to the cause. If ministers give themselves wholly to the work of God, and devote all their energies to building up His cause, they will have no lack. As regards temporal things, they have a better portion than their Lord, and better than His chosen disciples, whom He sent forth (The Southern Work, January 3, 1905). {4BC 1180.7}
What a shame, tragedy, dishonor and disservice to God’s name that these so-called pastors or ministers steal from the Lord’s treasury. They take up a “tithe”, yet do not return the tithe to the church; rather, they use it for their own self. Their communities go hungry, and they pass the homeless, as they were not even there. In the winter, the church is cold, and summers, the church is hot because the pastor spends the church’s money on self. The church buildings are in disrepair, bathrooms are unsanitary and falling apart. Rats take up residence in the church, but there is no money to take care of the infestation. Regarding these pastors God says, “I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.”
Dear Lord,
We pray for those individuals who care not for the people they are pastoring. We pray that they stop using their sermons as a reason to steal Your money from the church. We pray that You give them eyes to see the harm being caused in the name of Christianity. Let them appreciate that You have provided a better portion already, even more than Yours and Your chosen disciples. Let them give themselves wholly to Your work and cause to receive Your provisions honestly. Forgive them Lord, if they confess and repent of their sins. For us all, grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may walk in Your ways. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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