This is interesting and odd and also sad. Apparently, Crystal Cathedral, the famous California megachurch, owes vendors tens of thousands of dollars. I am slightly disturbed by this because not only does it speak against the Romans passage above, but even more generally it is an illustration of how, because a megachurch is struggling, it does not pay those who work for them... and words like exploitation come to mind. However, it also raises the question of ethics: do they "do to their neighbours as they would want them to treat you"? The oddest aspect of the article:
"an e-mail several days ago from church officials saying that they would try to pay her sometime in the future when they reach financial stability."Excuse me? If this proves to be as it says in the article, then this is a question Matthew 5...on many levels, but also in this: ""Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24) There is no clause in this that says you can first wait until you are financially stable. And it is a case of this applying to church leadership. Period.
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