The Preacher And His Debts
We often hear a well known adage, "It takes all kinds of people to make the world." Truly, it can be said that there are a variety of people in the world. Some are Christians, some are infidels; some are religious, some are not! Some are moral, some are unprincipled; some are sober, some are drunkards; some are civilized, some are uncultured; some are honest, some are thieves; some are kind, some are cruel; some energetic, some are lazy; some are preachers, some never read the Bible; some are members of the church, some never enter the meetinghouse; some have their names on the church register, though they have never been added to the church by the Lord; some preachers have stalwart convictions, some are vacillating; some are dogmatic, some are unstable; some are "good-mixers," some are anti-social; some stick their nose in a book, and do not wish to be disturbed, some do little reading, research or study; some pay their debts, and some — ?
Sometimes a preacher becomes immoral, and it becomes known, and he is given a "write-up" in the secular papers. (I dislike to know that any preacher, regardless of what church he may be connected with, has become a part of anything which reflects upon his character or brings reproach upon the work of which he is a part) Most people class all preachers as a "preacher."
Have you seen a bunch of loafers standing on the street, a passer by comes along, an immediate inquiry, "Who is that man?" One of the number makes answer: "I do not know his name, but he is a preacher." Another speaks up saying, "Did you see in the paper recently the write-up' about the preacher who was too familiar with a number of his members?", or other uncomplimentary remarks?
I knew a preacher, a member of the church of Christ, preaching for a congregation, being paid a definite, agreed on salary. He contracted some debts in the town with the merchants. When he removed from the town to another town to labor with the congregation there, he did not pay his debts in the town from which he removed. Some weeks after his moving away, one of the merchants called one of the brethren of the church of Christ, and told him of the preacher's debts, stating: "I was glad to sell him on credit, for he was your minister; and I knew you and your members always pay their debts. I have written the preacher more than one letter asking that he pay his account, I get no reply from him; and the postal authorities have not returned my letters."
Yes, the brethren paid the debts, knowing that it would reflect on the congregation if they did not do so. Should they write the congregation where the preacher has moved, telling them of the unpaid debts the preacher left, also write the preacher of their action, in paying the debts, telling him that they were writing the congregation where he was then living? If the church pays the preacher's unpaid debts, why not pay other member's debts also? Should they write the congregation where the preacher moved? If so, why? Is there any relationship between the two congregations, if "Yes" what is it?
Some weeks ago an article appeared in one of our leading daily papers giving the salaries and credit ratings of a number of professional people. To my chagrin, ministers, though high on the salary scale, nigh reached bottom on credit ratings. In spite of the fact that the majority of the number expect, in addition to the salaries paid, discounts on every item purchased, gifts from the public, houses in which to live and ad infinitum, the statistical report gave only one professional group a lower rating than ministers. Could it be that such shocking reports are in a measure responsible for the empty pews found in many places when others are assembled for worship?
Has any man the right to contract a debt if he does not believe he can meet the obligation? Have I the right to make a debt if I do not believe I can pay that debt when it is due?