Avoiding the Pitfalls of Money, Sex, and Power

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The three temptations are universal — and sharper for stewards

• The question posed (in the host's frame): in your book spiritual leadership in the 21st century (the title as it stands in the text), you note that spiritual leaders face three major temptations. Those temptations are the misuse of money, sex, and power. You wrote that while all Christians are susceptible to these temptations, they are particularly dangerous, for stewards of God's people. why do you believe that Christian leaders are especially susceptible (as the question is put) to these three temptations? And what can we do, to protect ourselves, in these areas? The answer: you mentioned my book — so I do have a chapter on that subject, if you want to read more about it. And I would say: these three dangers are not original to me. Many leaders, Christian teachers, have pointed out these problems. And I would say they're common to the human race, and they're common temptations, for all Christians. After all: if you go to first John 2 15-17 (as he cites it), it says there are three main sources of temptation. And therefore you can argue: all sin can probably be classified, in one, or more, of those three categories — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes ('the less of the eyes', as heard), the pride of life. And so you can easily see: lust of the flesh would include, but it's not limited to, sexual immorality. Also, you could include greed, in that. Lust of the eyes ('less to the eyes', as heard), again: temptation that comes through the eyes — that's primarily, again, sexual immorality. Or covetousness ('Covetous is greed', as heard): you see something that you desire. And then the pride of life refers to the ego, the self-will, the will for power — the idea that you can be an exception, to the rule. And so you can easily see, that the three temptations that I mentioned, for leaders, are really common to the human race — and rooted in what the Bible has taught us. But I do think they're more a problem, for leaders. Because leaders are stewards, of other people. And so they have more opportunity, and more temptation, than the average person. For example: money. A Christian leader usually is a steward, over money that comes into the church. So a pastor, or a church board member, or other senior leader, often has lots of oversight, of money that comes into the church. And while there may be some — and should be some — checks and balances, there's a high degree of trust, in leaders, to administrate finances, property. So, along with that greater opportunity, comes the greater temptation. The same way, with sexual immorality: leaders are often in a position of trust, over other people. That means people are vulnerable to them. People will share confidences with them, will feel close to them. And there is a psychological principle, that's known to counselors: that when a person is looking to a leader, for help, there's an emotional connection — which, especially if a person is needy, or unhealthy, that can become an emotional dependence, which can turn into a sexual attraction. It's not necessarily that the leader is an extraordinary object, of sexual attraction. But it's that some of the people, that the leader is leading, may be particularly vulnerable, needy, psychologically dependent. And so it would be easy, to take advantage of that kind of person. So that leads to sexual temptation. And then the third thing is power. And once again: leaders are in a position where they're given more power and authority — not only in the areas I've already mentioned — but they make decisions, that affect other people. And they're trusted to make those decisions. So there's a greater temptation: to make those decisions for personal advantage, for personal gain, according to personal opinion — to give an advantage to their family, or to their close friends. Which is what is called nepotism, or cronyism. And I would hasten to add: it's fine to involve your family, and your friends, in the life of the church. But you have to be careful, to treat them in the same way as everybody else. If you give them advantages, you have to give others those same advantages. If you give them opportunities, you have to be willing to share those same types of opportunities, with others. If they're in need of discipline, or correction, you have to correct them, just like you would others. And so — but there's this temptation: to use your power, for improper, or unfair, advantages — to yourself, or to your family, or to your friends. And so, because of what I've just mentioned: yes, these are greater temptations, for leaders.

Scriptures: 1 John 2:15-17

First guard: accountability to God — prayer, the word, and ethical standards

• Now, how do you deal with those temptations? Let me give you a couple of key points, which is good for all Christians — but especially for leaders. First of all: your relationship with God. You need to maintain a strong relationship, with God. You need to feel that you are personally accountable to God, for what you do. That even if nobody else knows what you're doing — or even if nobody else cares what you're doing — you are going to give account, to God. You must follow the teaching of scripture. You must follow what is just, and right, merciful, and fair. Because ultimately, you are accountable directly to God, as his servant. And that has to include prayer, Bible study. You know: the human heart is very capable, of finding excuses, for anything we want to do. Whenever somebody else does wrong, it's easy for us to identify: that is wrong. When we do the same thing, we have excuses, and justifications. Well, it was an exceptional case. Well, this. Well, that. And so the only antidote to that is: to continually go to God, in prayer, and ask him: check my motives; help me see what I don't see; if there's secret sin in me, reveal it to me. Humble yourself, in God's sight. Then study God's word. And study teachings, about God's word. Study ethics. And study what respected leaders ('respective leaders', as heard) have said, is the proper course of action. Don't justify yourself, in making exceptions. But listen to that teaching, and make sure you understand. The ethics are found in the Bible. And we have great ethical standards. My book spiritual leadership (as named) has a chapter on ethics. In the upci manual (as named), we have a position paper, on ministerial ethics ('Minister ethics', as heard). These are great things. They're objective guidelines, that will help us know what's right and what's wrong, in various situations that we face. Help us avoid self-justification.

Second and third guards: accountability to people, and practical guidelines

• But the second thing is: we need to be accountable, to others. So if you're married, you need to be accountable, to your spouse. You should be accountable ('accounted', as heard), with spiritual leaders — to your pastor, to other leaders in your life. Even if you're a senior pastor, you should have leaders, in your life, to whom you feel personally accountable. Even I, as a general superintendent, I need to feel personal accountable, to the general board — to report to them, to feel accountable to spiritual peers. Friends, that I've known for years, that I know to be ethical, and honest, that have my best interests at heart. That I would have a close enough relationship, that they would pray for me; if they sense anything, that I'm getting off track, they would tell me. Or if I have a question, or concern, or I'm wrestling with something ('resting with something', as heard), I could go to them, and get their advice. All of us should have spiritual leaders. And even as we get into senior ministry positions: spiritual peers, to whom we are accountable. Not only in theory, but in fact. And not only just people we've chosen, based on our philosophy, and knowing they'll let us do what we want. But leaders that God has placed, in our lives, that may not be our choices. But our pastor, or maybe elected, or appointed, leaders — that maybe we didn't personally appoint or elect, but God has placed them, at least in some role, in authority. And we heed that authority, because we respect their position. And we respect God's plan. And respect that, the structure of the church. Third thing I would say is: we need practical guidelines. I've already alluded to this. But when it comes to the use of money: there should be clear guidelines, accounting principles, legal principles, following proper tax guidance, and authorities. You know: there are laws — and in additional laws ('in additional laws, they're ethics', as heard): there are ethics. And the church should have structure. There should be more than one person, overseeing the finances. And no one person should have complete discretion. Or: everyone should have accountability, no matter who they are. The same way, in counseling people, and dealing with people — the opposite sex, dealing with children: you should have some clear, objective guidelines, that you're not going to counsel them in private, without someone else, or without an open door, or something where you are visibly accountable (children as a class, inside a safeguarding guideline — see the note on this record). And I could go on and on. The same thing, with power: that you have some guidelines, that you will not abuse people. You will not mistreat them, or manipulate them. But you will treat them fairly, and objectively, according to certain policies and procedures. So: every church should have policies and procedures in place, that give you objective guidelines, in different situations, for how you make decisions, how you treat people. So, by establishing accountability, and guidelines, in the form of policies and procedures, you can make sure that you follow God's teaching, and you minimize temptation. But no system is perfect, in that regard. So you still have to go back to your own relation with God — your relationship with your spouse, and your relationship with spiritual leaders, and spiritual peers, who can help you, even beyond any policies and guidelines.

Scripture index: 1 John 2:15-17.