How many preachers resist the temptation to accept money for their ministry to individuals?
2 Kings 5 tells the story of Naaman the leper, who following Elisha’s instructions, dipped himself seven times in the Jordan river. Seeing that he was cleansed of his leprosy, Naaman returned to Elisha and wanted to thank him with a gift:
2 Kings 5:15–16 (ESV) — Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
Naaman was sincerely grateful for the miracle and offered Elisha a gift, but the man of God refused to accept anything because he served the LORD. How could he accept money for what God had done?
Acts 8 tells the story of Simon the magician who had believed the gospel and was baptized. However…
Acts 8:18–19 (ESV) — Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
What was Simon thinking? He thought that he could give money to get something from God. We can be condemned for wrong thinking.
Acts 8:20–21 (ESV) — But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Do we ever encourage people to give an offering so they can get something from God? In our worship services, do we keep the prayer time and the reception of offerings separate, or are they closely linked so that people may be led to think they need to give in order to get?
How many preachers resist the temptation to accept money from individuals? Naaman offered a gift to Elisha to express his sincere thanks after receiving a miracle from God. Simon offered money to get something from God. Naaman had a grateful heart; Simon had a greedy heart. In both cases, the men of God refused to accept the money from individuals.
Jesus warns us, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) — Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”