Pastors, the Scum of the World?

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles [church/spiritual leaders] as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (ESV)

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is writing to a church that had become proud of their spirituality, their gifts, their resources, etc. They weren't giving honor to God, the giver of all these things. In response, Paul tells them what his life and the life of the other apostles were like-basically nothing to be proud of in an earthly sense. Pretty terrible in fact, nothing that a person would willingly want unless something larger than life was driving them.

As I read this passage this morning it got me thinking about many of today's church leaders, pastors, prophets, "men of god", "apostles", and "bishops" (I'm not entirely sure what people think they mean when they give themselves these titles). Many of their lives look nothing like what Paul is describing. In fact, quite the opposite is true. I just read in a magazine about a certain pastor in the US who might sign his family up for a reality show, sort of a "Christian Kardashians" as they put it. The show will follow this pastor and his family as they live in their 7,100 square foot mansion and endure the...hardship? of life in church ministry.

I see this a lot as I live here in Africa. So-called, "men of god" and "bishops" living extravagant lifestyles, dressed in the finest clothes, driving the nicest cars. Unfortunately, the prosperity gospel has taken root here in high fashion. Another unfortunate export from the West.

Hear me out, I'm not against wealth.  I believe God blesses some people with material wealth for a reason. I guess the question is: Where is your heart? Are you, as a wealthy person, seeking out that reason and using your wealth to bless others and to serve God?

This brings to mind another famous US pastor who has been blessed with incredible wealth because of some popular books he wrote. He now gives away 90% of his income and keeps the remaining 10% (granted that 10% is probably still a LOT of money). On top of that, he paid back his church for the 25 years of salaries that he had received up to that point and now leads his church with no salary. I just add this to show a contrast to the above mentioned, "reality show" pastor.

I won't go much further into this topic. Just wanted to share the thoughts that came to me as I read this passage and pondered the lives of people called to serve in the ministry of the Gospel. I'll leave you with two questions.

1. If you are a church leader of some sort, does your life have anything in common with Paul's description? If no, why not?

2. If you are part of a church, does its leadership have anything in common with Paul's description? If not, why do you follow them?

Anyway, that's all for now! Comment your thoughts below!