Expert: Brother Timothy Arango - 2/17/2009

Question
based on GODS' word should a pastor manage church finances with his wife, and friend, when there are deacons and trustees?

Answer
Absolutely not. While this may seem quite definitive, some would claim that God's Word is not as clear on this subject of church finances as I make it out to be; nevertheless, let's allow God's Word to speak for itself.
1 Timothy 5:17 tells us - "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."  Take note of the word "especially" in this verse. I believe that that word clearly implies that there were "elders" who laboured "in the word and doctrine" (in preaching), and, along with them there were also those who did not labour "in the word and doctrine" (did not preach), but were nevertheless appointed to rule in the church. Now, I admit, this verse does not make it very clear as to whether these were a separate class of church officers or not. However, what I do see is that there were some elders to whom the general management of the church had been entrusted, and that a part of them were engaged in preaching; some may have fulfilled the office of "teachers" as referred to in Romans 12:7; and others may have been employed in managing other concerns of the church, (ministry, also Romans 12.7) and yet all were regarded as the elders presiding over the church. It cannot, I think, be certainly concluded from this passage, that the ruling elders who did not teach or preach be regarded as a separate class or order of permanent officers in the church. There seems to to have been elders selected on account of age, piety, prudence, and wisdom, to whom was
entrusted the business of instructing and governing the church, and this they did as God provided opportunity. Those among them who "laboured in the word and doctrine," and who surrendered their time to the business of their office, would be worthy of special
respect, and higher compensation.
   I explained all of the above for this purpose. If you will note - one group is identified as the preaching one, and the other as the ministering one. The ministering one is actually in existence for the very purpose of permitting the preaching one free rein, that the other may devote all of their time and efforts to the preaching of God's Word.  
   Lastly, to keep matters simple. There is a verse which I believe will tie all of this together in a manner that would glorify God. 1 Thessalonians 5:22  "Abstain from all appearance of evil." As I said at the beginning, "Absolutely not," I believe that a safe and proper rule to follow would be to always lean to the side of virtue. Why flirt with the possibility of temptation? If the pastor, and any member of his family, abstains from handling any of the financial matters of the ministry, that is, leaves it to deacons and other elders (as the church would have them do), then no harm may come to either the cause of the faith or the pastor and his family.
"As fire is put out by taking away fuel, and as it is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great deal of earth upon it; so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit, by
indulging carnal lusts and affections, minding only earthly things. ...He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of it, and who avoids not the
temptations and approaches to it, will not long keep from doing sin."
(MHCC)

God's Blessings
Bro. Timothy
Luke 12 & Jer. 6.16a