Dr MARTIN VASQUEZ

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Mesa, Arizona, United States
EDUCATION: Holt High School, Holt Mich., Lansing Community College, Southwestern Theological Seminary, National Apostolic Bible College. MINISTERIAL EXPERIENCE: 51 years of pastoral experience, 11 churches in Arizona, New Mexico and Florida. Missionary work in Costa Rica. Bishop of the Districts of New Mexico and Florida for the Apostolic Assembly. Taught at the Apostolic Bible College of Florida and the Apostolic Bible College of Arizona. Served as President of the Florida Apostolic Bible College. Served as Secretary of Education in Arizona and New Mexico. EDUCACIÓN: Holt High School, Holt Michigan, Lansing Community College, Seminario Teológico Southwestern, Colegio Bíblico Nacional. EXPERIENCIA MINISTERIAL: 51 años de experiencia pastoral, 11 iglesias en los estados de Arizona, Nuevo México y la Florida. Trabajo misionera en Costa Rica. Obispo de la Asamblea Apostólica en los distritos de Nuevo México y La Florida. He enseñado en el Colegio Bíblico Apostólico de la Florida y el Colegio Bíblico Apostólico de Arizona. Presidente del Colegio Bíblico de la Florida. Secretario de Educación en los distritos de Nuevo México y Arizona.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

DON’T FLEECE THE FLOCK!


“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” I Peter 5:2
Flagrant abuse by prominent ministers and ministries involving millions of dollars has caused many people to distrust Christian ministers and ministries everywhere. The situation makes Peter’s words to overseers required reading for all pastors and ministers. Ministers need to maintain the utmost integrity when it comes to finances.
Peter spoke of dishonest gain, literally “filthy” or “shameful” money. What brings shame is not the money but the greed, which is nothing less than idolatry (Colossians 3:5). No wonder Paul emphatically warned church leaders to beware of using the ministry as a pretext for gain (I Timothy 3:3, 8; 6:3-5; Titus 1:7).
O course, it is not inevitable that ministers should fall to greed. Peter refused Simon’s offer of a bribe in exchange for the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18-20). Likewise, Paul frequently refused the financial support to which he had a right as an apostle (I Corinthians 9:7-15).
Do you make your living in the ministry? If so, are you doing so willingly and eagerly, as Peter indicates? If not, why are you in the ministry?


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