7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
not greedy for money,
“Greedy for money” is a translation of two words placed into one word in the Greek: base and greed. This person seeks wealth at any cost.
A Christian leader does not use his position of leadership for financial profit. There is a danger for the leader to let finances control his motive for ministry.
All Christian leaders have the biblical right to earn money (Lu 10:7; 1 Co 9:11, 14; 1 Ti 5:17). That, however, is different from making money as the primary goal (1 Ti 6:5).
PRINCIPLE:
Lack of financial integrity exposes a lot about a leader.
APPLICATION:
There are certain sins to which leaders are vulnerable. Any leader controlled by self-will, quick-temperedness, addictions, violence or greed for money will destroy those who follow him and his ministry.
A leader absorbed with gain for more and more money has a god other than the Lord. Motive for ministry must be pure and without the mixture of being in the ministry for money.
1 Pe 5: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
