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By Steve Van Nattan What shall we say about preachers who ask for discounts and keep an old beater out back to drive in to meetings to seek sympathy?
Some of you preachers can really blast those Black girls who have babies so they can go on ADC. You can slam the lazy good old boys in the neighborhood who live on unemployment or welfare. But, I bet you do the same thing. Do you ask for a discount where ever you buy in the area? Do you suggest that merchants do God a big favor by giving you a discount? I will make two points that will make you mad as hops, but I don't care. You are worthy to be rebuked if you do this.
So, stop begging, and pay your way, like any other man. Leave a GENEROUS tip. Any waitress will tell you that church people are the worst tippers in town, especially when they show up as a group. Check it out if you don't believe me. If you want to panhandle, get down town and do it with those who are worthy of the title, and go to beans tonight with the beggars at the Rescue Mission. Romans
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of
all men. A merchant who is asked to give God a discount is NOT at peace with God as you leave the shop. The tract you leave him is a JOKE to him. Who wants none of YOUR religion, and who wants to come to your church and be seen with a religious gigolo? Leviticus 19:13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Psalms 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Proverbs 20:14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. Jeremiah 22:13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; James 5:4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. The merchant whom you accost for a hand out should not have to tighten his belt because your people won't give in the offering plate. I hear preachers brag about how they get discounts around town. They claim it is, "Good stewardship." BAH! If you, preacher, are getting that discount or price break by talking about your work at the church house, or some alleged ministry you are doing, you are taking food off the table of the merchant. Do you want to repent? Great. Next time pay extra, or take the merchant some of your wife's canning. Is your wife too busy to can food? Maybe your wife needs to get back to canning and make you a lunch to carry so you don't have to beg for your lunch downtown. But, I digress. Take the merchant a box of donuts, and make sure you shop in the morning so the guy can enjoy them before the day is done. If the merchant is not busy, offer to get coffee and take a few minutes to drink a cup with him and see if you can find your way to Jesus instead of to Balaam. THINK!!!! Are you in this war for souls, or are you in it for an easy ride and a free lunch?
When I was in Ethiopia as a missionary, I used to take a taxi to do my shopping in Addis Ababa, the capital city. The drivers would always stop and try to fill the taxi full and keep it full. Whenever an Orthodox priest would hail a taxi, the priest would get in, and he would bring a brass or silver cross out of his robes and lean over and let the driver kiss the cross. This was in lieu of paying for the ride. There you are, preacher. You are NO different than that lazy free loading son of perdition in Ethiopia. "Here, kiss my religion...." Rather; how about: Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
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