October 16.
Grumblers And Gripers

Acts 16:19

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers.

When the girl’s masters discovered she had accepted Christ, they fell out with Paul and Silas, and right away they turned the crowds against them. It’s amazing how crowds like to turn against the preacher. The preacher is the butt of jokes. He’s criticized in barbershops and beauty salons. Whatever he does, it’s not right. If he’s broke, he ought to have some money. If he’s got some money, he doesn’t need any. If he’s got a little sense, he’s too top heavy. If he doesn’t have any, he’s too ignorant. If he’s got a family, he’s spending too much time with his family. If he doesn’t have one, he needs a family. If he has children, he doesn’t need all of those crumb snatchers. If he doesn’t have any, he needs some children. If he goes somewhere, he needs to stay at home. He can never satisfy folk. But be careful how you talk down the man of God.

The church is not man made; God built the church. He says, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” When anybody says anything negative about the church of God, they are actually saying something negative about God himself, because God planned for the church. I thank God for the church being in the community. Even though only 20 to 30 percent of the population attend church, I thank God for that. The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. We are light in the community. I believe the 30 percent controls the 70 percent of the city. The church is full of people who used to be gamblers, prostitutes, murderers, dope pushers, and dope addicts who are now good citizens in the community. It is disturbing to hear of anybody rising up and saying negative things about the church. Romans 10:15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!