There have been a few posts regarding the TV preachers being exposed and/or accused. There was a link provided:Through this link and the article was a link to a financial responsibilty organization, Ministry Watch:I would think that thoughtful Christians, being good stewards of the Lord, would want to know that the organizations they are sending money to are also being good stewards. This organization gives Christians a way to check the fruits of those orgnizations they want to support. I applaud the work of this ministry and encourage you to check out those whom you support. Many are not forthcoming about their finances, but my question is, what are they hiding?For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. Mark 4:22.
If a minister of the Gospel is living in high style, flying the world in private jets, living in gated compounds in million dollar mansions, driving luxury vehicles and wearing flamboyant and expensive clothes and jewelry, that does not line up with scriptural mandates. 1 Timothy 3 provides an example for our bishops and deacons:1 Timothy 3
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
I cannot imagine the disciples travelling in the latest chariots, accompanied by servants, decked out in gold and silver, and toasted by the kings and emperors of their day. In fact Peter said in Acts 3:6:"Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."We are also reminded in 2 Corinthians 8:9:For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.I am not saying that ministers of the gospel need to live in poverty, but they need to be examples of holiness, and righteousness and their lives should be above reproach. We are told to "Abstain from all appearance of evil.", 1Thess 5:22. We are also reminded in 1 John 2:15:Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.I would say that these folks have their reward now, being seen of men, and they are not laying up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt.