Cheated

This is what a pastor told me when I approached him about a member of our church that hired me, then quit paying me.

.

As a tradesman, he hired me for a certain wage. I used my own work truck and tools. 

He would only pay for the gas I used, not wear and tear on the truck, then after a time, would no longer pay me for travel-time between jobs.

He expected me to feel sorry for him since the IRS had frozen his bank account.

This indicates bad decisions on another level, eh?

.

My attempt to negotiate was unsuccessful, and since he owed me too much $$$ in back-wages, I quit and went to the pastor.

Many other church members had also complained about his business practices. 

One woman had to go into counseling because he pressured her into doing work she didn't want to do, but he needed the money.

This contractor was married to a woman who was a mean stepmother.

The pastor I complained to, asked what I thought should be done about this.

.

I knew what Paul said Christians not taking each other to court over financial matters. 

(I'm not sure these folks are real Christians, but I decided to comply with that restriction).

I came into the meeting with the conviction that misbehaving Christians should not be allowed to operate in any form of leadership 

or even any level of servanthood when they are harming others. 

They need to be sitting in the pew, listening really hard.

.

I suggested that he be taken off the worship team, not allowed to serve in any manner, no missions trips or outreaches, until he straightened up.

And I suggested that his wife receive the same restrictions, for they were a team, and I saw him as her puppet, given the way she convinced him to mistreat his own sons. She drove a Lexus, owned two horses, and a shiny, six-burner stove, but didn't want me to be paid to drive from one job to the next, even if it took an hour of my life to get there. 

.

The suggestion was accepted, and that couple quickly left the church. Church was like a breath of fresh air without them.

I wonder if they ever repented. I hope so.

It is important for those who are mistreated by someone in the church to speak up about it. 

.

Consider 1 Timothy 5:

Timothy, as I understand it, was a district overseer, being mentored by Paul, the Apostle. 

The churches they looked after, had members that sinned against each other at times. 

Sometimes the cheaters were leaders. 

And Paul forbade favoritism, so favoritism which excuses sin, must also be a sin.

.

If you have been treated like this, feel free to print off this article and send it to the church where the offence occurred,

along with a letter explaining the problem. 

my website concerning forgiveness: IfHeRepents.com