Separation of Church & State (preaching prosperity or preaching salvation)

Recently there has been a request by U.S. Senator Grassly for the financial records of 6 Pastors of the so-called "Mega Church's" located primarily throughout the south. The underlying question is whether these individuals are using the exempt status afforded to faith based organizations for personal profitable gain. There have been Ministers and Churches who have throughout time used their power for gain other than the salvation of souls.

Our government has historically adopted the position of a separation between the State and matters of the Church. But this does not exclude priests who are pedophiles, zealots bent on destruction or pastors who profit from deception. We are afford by constitutional right, innocence before our peers; be it a jury of 12 or the public masses, so I reserve judgment until due time. I do however have the right to an opinion based on the actions of the accused.

In the Jewish temple (Herod's) the first cleansing took place (John 2:13-16) it tells how during The Passover, Jesus ran off  " them that were selling dove, sheep and oxen: and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." The money changers would profit by exchanging the Roman currency with graven images for plain coins  to be an acceptable tithe offering for a fee. Jesus said, " Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." 

Apostle Paul writes of the 'Christian Rights' (1Corinthians 9:13-14) "that those who work in the temple should get their food from the temple... in the same way, those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." But Paul chose to spread the gospel for no charge to the church as  "...a servant unto all, that I might gain more" (1Corinthians 9:19) and instead labored for a living.

An introspective question to all who preach the gospel is why did Paul choose this way?

I will not begin to assess the hearts and minds of men/women and their reason. I can only look at the obvious, reference my understanding of good; evil and listen to my own conscience (The Holy Spirit) for guidance and I still am imperfect in every way but always willing to try and correct my wrongs; repent and ask forgiveness. I ask you brothers and sisters in Christ (the accused and the guilty) are you justified in all your actions concerning this matter? What will you do for your own salvation? You are held to a higher standard. The answer is not to me nor to the congregations that you lead, you love and bring to Christ Jesus; but to HIM who is, was and will always be. There is a reason Jesus said " It is harder for a rich man to enter the  Kingdom of Heaven, than a camel to go through the eye of a needle."

I AM,

Bycha Buxton
buxtonbycha@aol.com