What would happen if a layperson would steal from the offering plate? Suppose it was a church member. I think it is safe to say they would receive a much more severe repercussion than some of today's megachurch pastors if we can call them that who are unaccountable for millions of dollars at times of funds.
I won't mention any names here; but again with any other issue a layperson should be and in fact is responsible to say something when those in leadership are bilking a congregation; not spending funds on what they promise or using unjust techniques to "borrow from Peter to pay for Paul" as the old saying goes.
We are told in Corinthians that the church should judge matters themselves (In 1 Cor. 11:13 it is involving women's coverings); but we are not supposed to sue one another ( 1 Cor. 6:1-11). The concept of letting ourselves be defrauded in verse 7 of this passage only goes so far. We are responsible for God's house and certainly should be defending OTHER members who are bilked. Yes; I will go so far as to say that a congregation should be paid BACK if fraud exists at least if things do get to civil courts; handled within again they should be kicked out permanently from leadership. The same concept exists for a child molester; something I hate to even bring up but abuse is everywhere; and in that case of a person's safety legal action should occur. It isn't that we live by the law the same way the world does; but we cannot have a double standard and have to demonstrate righteousness and not even a hint of evil; read Ephesians 5:3.
Those spiritually mature should be able to avoid situations where they are taken advantage of this way; and not fall for some get rich scheme or having their ears tickled. The true church overcomes evil with good ( Romans 12:21). When we seem to find more fair and impartial scriptural knowledge from artificial intelligence than is preached in many churches we know something ain't right.
What would happen if a layperson would steal from the offering plate? Suppose it was a church member. I think it is safe to say they would receive a much more severe repercussion than some of today's megachurch pastors if we can call them that who are unaccountable for millions of dollars at times of funds.
I won't mention any names here; but again with any other issue a layperson should be and in fact is responsible to say something when those in leadership are bilking a congregation; not spending funds on what they promise or using unjust techniques to "borrow from Peter to pay for Paul" as the old saying goes.
We are told in Corinthians that the church should judge matters themselves (In 1 Cor. 11:13 it is involving women's coverings); but we are not supposed to sue one another ( 1 Cor. 6:1-11). The concept of letting ourselves be defrauded in verse 7 of this passage only goes so far. We are responsible for God's house and certainly should be defending OTHER members who are bilked. Yes; I will go so far as to say that a congregation should be paid BACK if fraud exists at least if things do get to civil courts; handled within again they should be kicked out permanently from leadership. The same concept exists for a child molester; something I hate to even bring up but abuse is everywhere; and in that case of a person's safety legal action should occur. It isn't that we live by the law the same way the world does; but we cannot have a double standard and have to demonstrate righteousness and not even a hint of evil; read Ephesians 5:3.
Those spiritually mature should be able to avoid situations where they are taken advantage of this way; and not fall for some get rich scheme or having their ears tickled. The true church overcomes evil with good ( Romans 12:21). When we seem to find more fair and impartial scriptural knowledge from artificial intelligence than is preached in many churches we know something ain't right.
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