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For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money . . . . (Titus 1:7 NKJV)
Money. Over the years it has proven to be one of the most prolific pitfalls for pastors. It's so easy for a man in ministry to allow greed to wedge its foot in the door of his heart and to lose focus on the fact that he's simply a steward of God's resources. A pastor needs to shut and deadbolt his heart's door against the inquisitive, yet persistent, knocking of greed. If he doesn't, it's only a matter of time before he loses his reputation as a man of God, his reward that awaits him in heaven, and the reliance of those entrusted to his care.
This responsibility doesn't end at the pulpit but extends to the pew. What good is a church with a pastor of moral integrity if the congregation is greedy for money? It certainly won't bring honor or glory to God. James nailed this tragic tendency within all of us:
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, 'You sit here in a good place,' and say to the poor man, 'You stand there,' or, 'Sit here at my footstool,' have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4 NKJV)
The body of Christ should be the one place where a person's net worth doesn't make a difference. It should be an environment where all are loved and valued without partiality, which will only happen as we shut the door on the greed that crouches at our hearts.
DIG - What are some negative effects that greed can have on men in ministry?
DISCOVER - How has greed negatively impacted your life?
DISPLAY - Specifically pray that the Lord will help you guard against greed.
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At the age of 24, Bob Coy left a coveted position in the music industry to serve as an associate pastor with Calvary Chapel of Las Vegas. In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century. His teaching style emphasizes the believer's "life application" of the highest standards of God's truth while his delivery captures the loving heart of God's Spirit.
Pastor Bob has had the rare privilege of watching God's miraculous hand move in the individual lives of those in the fellowship as well as the corporate body as a whole. From the first meeting in a living room with four in attendance, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has now become home to over 17,000 men and women from the tri-county area, and ranks as the eighth largest church in the country. Though many have tried to attribute its rapid growth to numerous reasons, no one is more surprised by the phenomenon than Pastor Bob, who gives total credit and all the glory to God alone.
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