A Preacher You Would Not Tolerate

He frequently arrives a few minutes late for his Bible class (even though he’s teaching), thus delaying the beginning of the class. He sometimes misses his class altogether because he stayed up so late on Saturday night that he just “could not” get up in time to attend.

He and his wife sit silently during the singing of praise to God during the worship hour. He sometimes misses Sunday evening worship. Especially in the fall and winter because his favorite NFL team’s game is not over in time for him to attend. He attends Wednesday night once in a while. Sometimes he “has a headache” or is “just too tired.” On other occasions, there is a movie in town he wants to see or some program on television that appeals to him. He has also missed a few times Sunday evening when friends or relatives drop in just before worship.

He drives an expensive car and a late model pickup, and owns a summer house on that lake. He also owns a travel trailer and a fishing boat. He lives in a more-than-comfortable house, dresses his family well, eats sumptuously, and spends a minimum of $2,500 on the family vacation each year. However, he gives only $10.00 per week to the Lord, and he does that only when he has it on him at the time. Sometimes he refuses to give any amount.

When he finds himself in the presence of those who drink, he drinks with them “to avoid offending them.” When he visits a denominational meeting, he sings spiritual songs with their instruments and calls their preacher “Reverend” to avoid “offending them.” His wife takes her daily walks in her halter top and short shorts during the warm months. They allow their children do, say, and dress any way they please.

When asked to assist with the visitation program, he refuses because it conflicts with his bowling night. Besides, the last time he helped, they would not do everything just as he thought it should be done.

Such a preacher would and should not be tolerated. He could only have a damaging and depressing influence on the church. Any growth in the church would be in spite of his influence, instead of because of it, regardless of how powerful or “dynamic” he might be with words in the pulpit.

While a congregation would not begin to tolerate such a preacher, it often tolerates other members of this sort without giving them any of the appropriate attention. When the faithful preacher applies the Word of God to such materialism and tries to root it out, brethren sometimes think he should be more tolerant. In fact, they will often listen much more to the stingy, selfish, worldly, materialistic brethren than they will to God’s messenger who calls for their repentance.

The Bible does not teach a double standard. The “convenience-controlled” Christian should not be tolerated indefinitely, be he the preacher, elder, deacon, and/or other saint.

“Then Peter opened his mouth and said:"In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).