Money, sex and power -- those are the three great temptations and struggles for ministers. For that reason, the monastic reforms which began in the second century focused on three vows: Poverty, chastity and obedience.
The concern about money is written deeply into the biblical witness when it comes to ministry. 1 Timothy 6 comes immediately to mind:
"Godliness with contentment is great gain.
"Because we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
"Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
"That's because the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
"This is why clergy must flee from all this greed, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."
Then, in a turn that should make every clergy person in America nervous, Paul continued:
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Generous and willing to share? Ouch. If that's a life for which we clergy should aim, I fear more of us look like Ananais (Acts 5) than Stephen (Acts 7) or Peter.