Offerings from God's people are sacred and must strictly be used for their intended purposes.
Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?
A Sacred Trust
When I look at the curse that befell Eli and his sons for fattening themselves with offerings given by God's people, I shudder.
I strongly believe God's servants should be remunerated well. When pastors keep appealing for fund drives to pay even for high school fees, it is a shame to the body that they minister to. We must keep reviewing their salaries so they live comfortably.
When Ministry Becomes Enrichment
There are churches however where pastors literally enrich themselves with offerings, building personal rental apartments, driving luxury vehicles and funding luxuries oftentimes through manipulation of ignorant congregants.
If they purport to serve Jehovah, they should read Eli's story meditatively. A minister can live in as much luxury as he wants as long as he bankrolls it through the sweat of his brow like all other men. Offerings from God's people are sacred and must strictly be used for intended purposes.
