Numbers 22:7 And the elders of Moab and elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spoke unto him the words of Balak. 15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
If churches accept payments, or funding from governments and politicians they could obviously be under some pressure to have their congregants vote a certain way, in the benefactor’s favor and then the churches in question will feel obligated to have the politicians use their pulpits to further their agendas. Also, wherever this is the case, those affected by the practice of quid pro quo would be under pressure or even threat of removal of funding, unless they bring their moral beliefs, and practices into harmony with the funder’s wishes.
This in turn can, and will ultimately affect adversely, the freedom of religion and thus, a denomination or church, that is supposed to be a moral compass in a world gone wild, will feel pressured to acquiesce on very important moral issues such as marriage. It all has to do with the concept and practice of quid pro quo, where you scratch my back and I would be expected to scratch yours.
It is quid pro quo that got Balaam into trouble, for he was promised monetary benefits and high positions in Balak’s government in exchange for doing what he knew was wrong. The pressure was turned up several notches as the highest, ranking members of Balak’s government, in their efforts to bribe the prophet, made additional and costly offers in return for the favor of cursing God’s people.
Numbers 22:16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, let nothing I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!