envelop spinner search close plus arrow-right arrow-left facebook twitter

Marked Devotional 11

by David Joynt on March 16, 2022


MICAH 3:11 | 11 Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money; yet they lean upon the Lord and say, “Surely the Lord is with us! No harm shall come upon us.”

The tithe practice of ancient Israel makes everyone unique in their contribution but equal in their generosity. This contrasts with the way wealth and philanthropy in the ancient world and the modern one, which tends to divide people into worthy benefactors and indigent recipients. In doing so the tithe lends dignity to everyone.

But like all God’s good ideas and holy commands, it is susceptible to destruction, corruption, and misuse by us. Priests can take it as their right, instead of receiving the tithe as a gift, and fail in their sacred duties. Church governance systems need total transparency around finances and accountability with leadership.

Have you ever experienced clergy misconduct?

Pray for honesty and commitment for church leaders.

Tags: commitment, honesty, clergy

About the Author
David Joynt

Dave Joynt began his service as a pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona in September 2014. This meant a move away from the Northeast, where he has a long history, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then serving congregations in Delaware and New Jersey for a total of 23 years.

Dave was nurtured in a great church in Bethlehem where his parents, Anne and Carey, served as elders. He graduated in classics from Lehigh University where his Father taught, and then from Oxford, where he met his wife Julia. Ordained in 1988, he completed a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993.

He and Julia have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Madeleine.

More from Pastor Joynts Devotionals

return to Pastor Joynts Devotionals