Recently, there have been some ministers rallying around the message of the "Prosperity Gospel." These individual in most cases, see nothing wrong with fellow clergy persons making larger than average salaries, in comparison with the rest of our population. However in the midst of their speeches and others who defend them, why are teachers not given at least the same consideration?

I decided to challenge the issue of ministers needing to make a lot of money. In doing so, I needed to compare the ministry profession against the obvious, the teaching profession. Unlike ministers who most of us see only on the weekends or maybe Wednesday, teachers are with your children Monday through Friday, especially during kindergarten through the 12th grade of high school. These teachers are given the responsibility of educating the youth in subjects that will be allow them to run own businesses or become more productive employees. Ministers can provide an education about God, and in some cases, teach business, political, and social morals from the pulpit.

I believe that many times in our society ministers get much more than teachers. Many of us will vote down a school levy quicker than a blink of an eye. Some teachers are lucky if they make $60,000 a year after 30 years of teaching. In my opinion, most of us do not appreciate the sacrifice that teachers make on a daily basis. Teachers have to prepare lessons plans and grade homework after school. You talk about injustice. The majority of us are dependent on the teaching profession, in order to prepare our children for college. Yet in some Church denominations, ministers are given Pastor anniversary dinners that include a love offering or stated monetary gift. Ministers may also have a Church paid car, depending on the congregation's size. When is the last time you took up a collection for child's teacher?

A lot of ministers states that they were called by God to the ministry. It is as if everyone else chose their profession, including the teaching profession. Also, ministers have an unfair advantage over the rest of us. A minister can claim your offerings as what God has commanded you to do. No disrespect, but open your eyes people. No one endures more than teachers. They deserve to make at least what upper management in Corporate America make. You cannot tell teachers in some school districts that they chose poverty, in the hopes of making all us better, and not apply the same standard to ministers. I am not saying ministers should not make $100,000 a year; however, teachers deserve at least that much in salary, if not more. Stop taking teachers for granted.

Philosophy & Religion Articles:

I Cannot Wait For The Da Vinci Code Movie

Why Does Easter Fall On a Particular Sunday?

Life is Hard to Understand

Philosophy Page 2

Religion Page