Should Pastor’s be paid?

 Should Pastor’s be paid? This is a very contentious issue and one that causes many a debate. More on that in a while.

 

My previous blogs, I wrote a lot about tithing and put myself out there as someone who doesn’t believe in the concept of storehouse tithing within the Christian church.

 

But let me be really clear, I wholeheartedly believe that Christians should be givers. I just don’t believe that the ten percent tariff set in the Law of Moses applies to us who are saved by Grace.

 

In my next series of blogs, I am going to address what the early church did, what the New Testament says about tithing and who, as Christians, we should be giving to.

 

But now I would like to address the subject of Pastors being paid, and some very large amounts of money. The general idea sometimes amongst people, believers and non-believers alike, is that some Pastors are abusing their position and ripping people off.

 

Where this may be true for some (because there are unethical people everywhere even in churches sometimes). I wanted to see what the bible actually says about this very touchy subject if anything.

 

So follow me as we look into the word of God, starting in the book of First Timothy.

Double Honour

 

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 

 

Here in verse 17, we read that the elders who rule well and work in the word and doctrine (preaching and teaching) should be counted worthy of “double honour”.

To rule well means that the Elder or Pastor should be someone who practices what he preaches so that his council will be respected. He or she should be above reproach. (Read the qualifications for an Elder, Titus 1:5-16)

 

So what is the double honour being spoken about here?

 

1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

 

By reading the next verse we understand that what is being spoken about here is money. What it is actually saying is that by not muzzling the Ox, it is then free to eat while it works. Verse 18 goes on to say that “the labourer is worthy of his reward” or wages as some translations put it.

 

So what Paul is saying here in effect is that the Elder is worthy of double wages!

 

We are not told what it is the double of but probably the wage system back then was a bit simpler than it is now.

In any case, you can see the high importance Paul was trying to relay about the position of an Elder and what they should earn when in full-time ministry.

 

Now that is not to say that every church will be able to bestow such a blessings on their Pastor’s. Some small churches will struggle to pay their Pastor’s anything at all.

But when it comes to large congregations the potential for the Pastor to earn large sums of money is a definite reality.

 

If we study what the apostle Paul said and did, it is very clear that he taught the churches which he planted to support their Pastor’s. Read and study the following verses for clarification.

 

1 Corinthians 9:7-10

1Co 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 

1Co 9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 

1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 

 

1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 

 

2 Corinthians 11:7-9

2Co 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 

2Co 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 

2Co 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 

 

Philippians 4:15-18

Php 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 

Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 

Php 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 

Php 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 

 

Galatians 6:6

Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 

 

Full-Time Pastors

So by reading these verses, it’s clear that there should be some reward or wages for those who labour in the word and doctrine.

 

I have said that I don’t believe Christians are bound by the Law of tithing, but one of the reasons why the tithe was necessary back in the Old Testament was to allow the Levite to work full time in the service of the Lord.

 

This is the same today, in order for a full-time Pastor to be able to survive, pay bills and support a family; they obviously need to be paid. They are working full time for the Lord and deserve “double honour” as Paul puts it.

 

So don’t let the devil convince you not to give because by giving to the church you are helping to spread the gospel and win souls for the kingdom of God.

But you should never be giving out of compulsion but as you have determined in your own heart, as you are able.

Written By

Pastor Donovan