or intimidation." This term is generally used in the context of monetary gain.
"The love of money" is the common motive behind such devious acts. However,
the lust for power and the desire for prestige are also common motives of this
ungodly behavior.
Spiritual extortion is the exercising of threats against the Lord's church in
general, and the elders, in particular. It is an act of cowardice. It is a violation of
the "golden rule" (Matt. 7:12) and the guilty tread upon the principles of Matthew
18:15-20. It is an act void of brotherly love, though cloaked in words of "concern
for the church."
True loving brethren who are concerned about the church do not have to resort
to "threats" against the body of Christ. They do not threaten to withhold their
contribution on Sunday morning. They do not threaten to leave the congregation
in order "to force" the elders to do their bidding. They do not go behind the backs
of their intended targets and manipulate the decisions of the elders. Genuine
Christians are honest men and women who love the truth of God and the body of
Christ enough that they will confront real enemies in the open without hiding
behind robes of intimidation. Faithful soldiers in God's army will fight until the
enemy is defeated or hope is gone. When the cause is lost, then they will come
out from among the enemies, regardless of family ties or friendships.
But spiritual extortionists have accomplices -- weak elders. Extortionists are
discouraged, even defeated, when they face strong, spiritual men who have the
courage to call their hand and withstand their threats. Extortionists are
successful only if they encounter weak elders who allow them to have their way.
So whether consciously or subconsciously, weak elders aid and abet spiritual
extortionists by their unwillingness to engage the enemy, for whatever reason,
though noble it may seem.
What can elders do?
1. Recognize that genuine Christians do not engage in activities that divide and
harm the church. They believe in unity based upon the Word of God. They do not
sow discord. They do not make false accusations. They do not undermine the
elders. They work with them.
2. Make an evaluation of the brethren involved in the extortion racket. They
are usually the spiritually weak, ignorant, selfish and cowardly. Their usual rap
sheet includes beliefs in denominationalism, only positive preaching and social
emphasis in the church. They object to any negative preaching, cringe at
Stephen's sermon in Acts 6 and 7, pass over Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees in
Matthew 23 and possess a rebellious attitude toward the Bible which they rarely
read. They quickly quote and pervert the teaching of Matthew 7:1 in which Jesus
said, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" while ignoring the same Savior's words in
John 7:24 in which He said, "...judge righteous judgment." These brethren are
guilty of their own criticisms. They hurriedly judge others without proof or
evidence. They plant innuendoes in the minds of brethren, convince them to
believe lies and bring out the worst fears.
3. Study the scriptures and learn what your duties are in matters like this.
Many times elders fail to understand what the Bible teaches and what avenues
they have to combat this type of activity. Consider these words from the pen of
the apostle Paul: "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the
flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus... I wrote unto you
in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the
fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters;
for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not
to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous,
or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no
not to eat" (1 Cor. 5:5, 9-11). "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves
know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among
you" (2 Thess. 3:6-7). "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that
he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the
circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses,
teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake" (Titus 1:9-11). "A
man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that
he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself" (Titus
3:10-11). "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they
that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17-18).
4. Confront the real enemies, the extortionists, with the Word of God and with
boldness. Evil men hate light. Shining the light of truth upon evil doers will do
remarkable things.
5. Realize that your action or inaction will determine what kind of church you
will lead and whether this kind of evil activity is attempted again. Spiritual
extortionists are "dogs," a term employed by the apostle Paul (Phil. 3:2). If you
don't want a stray dog to come around the house, then don't keep feeding him!
6. Pray to the heavenly Father for faith, strength, wisdom, courage and
patience.
7. If needed, enlist the help of strong, faithful brethren in the church. Paul had
Barnabas at his side when they turned from the defiant Jews to the eager
Gentiles (Acts 13;46). Peter and John would not cease their preaching in Jesus'
name despite the numerous threats against their lives (Acts 4:19-20). Moses'
arms were held up by Aaron and Hur and the enemy was defeated (Exodus 17:12).
David needed the aid of his servant, Abishai to defeat the giant, Ishbi-benob (2
Samuel 21:15-17).
8. Do not give in. Do not give up. Do not give out. Do not resign in the face of
such problems. Spiritual extortion is all about power. It is a power struggle. Now
a word of experience: in this writer's years of preaching, he has witnessed
numerous ungodly acts on the part of willfully ignorant, morally bankrupt,
spiritually blind and carnally-minded brethren who do not want the responsibility
of leading the flock of God in a qualified, scriptural way, but would rather work
behind the scenes and manipulate weak elders. Through their threats they
manage to get seemingly good men to soften their position, turn their backs on
the strong and faithful, compromise the truth and sell out the Lord's church.
Every eldership faces attempts of spiritual extortion from time to time. What if
the contribution drops below budget? What if attendance decreases by 30%?
What if some teachers resign? What if, what if, what if?
Well, brethren, what if in the process of satisfying the extortionist, you sell out
faithful brethren? What kind of church would you have? Your actions will result
in empowering the greedy and discouraging the faithful. What if in the process of
avoiding a "controversy," you are left with spiritually blind followers? What kind
of church would you have? You will disarm the brave soldiers of the cross and
give new ammunition to the worldly church members. (By the way, you can't
avoid the controversy. The line was drawn in the sand when the ungodly engaged
in their evil deeds). What if, in an effort to satisfy the extortionist, you sell the
Lord's truth? How will you stand before God Almighty in the Judgment and give
account for yourself and for the flock of God? Elder, do you think this problem
will not occur again if you give in?
Elders and brethren, why, oh why, are we allowing the weak, ignorant and
spiritually bankrupt brethren to push an agenda in the church? Why don't we just
do what's right and let the "chips fall where they may?" This writer would rather
work with a church of 30 strong and faithful members who love the Lord, read
the Book and truly love one another than a church of 300 backbiting,
worldly-minded, whining critics who are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17).
Brethren, we're losing this battle. We need wise and courageous leaders/elders
like Moses, faithful brethren to hold up their hands like Aaron and Hur and bold
preachers like Joshua who can lead the battle in the trenches. Are you
somewhere among that number? There is no neutral ground (Matt. 12:30). This
is not the time to be timid. This is not the time to be silent. This kind of battle
determines the direction of the church. Which way is the congregation where you
worship headed? Elder friend, are you leading the flock or following the
instructions of the extortionist?
