• Honesty Or Dishonest Gain

  Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 23, 2024 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-10, Titus 1:5-9

  Tags:  Service, Money, Deception, Greed, Pastor, Integrity  (view more)  (view less)

  Denomination: Pentecostal

1 Peter 5:1-3 warns against dishonest gain - "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care...not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve."

In January 2024 a USA pastor and his wife were charged after hundreds of Christians invested in their cryptocurrency scheme. Prosecutors accuse the pastor of fraudulently raising over $3,000,000 by selling "practically worthless" crypto.

The Pastor said his plan was inspired by God. (Source; BBC; Jan, 2024)

In January 2023 a Nigerian Pastor faked his own kidnapping - twice - in order to collect ransom money from his congregation.

Christianity Today (January 2024) reports that fewer than a third of Americans view Pastors as highly honest and ethical - down from 40 per cent 4 years ago.