QUESTION RECEIVED:
How does a pastor get paid?
The pastor gets paid by the congregation.
No subject generates as much concern and sometimes anger and
ill will than the subject of church and money.
Many have harsh preconceptions that a pastor should not be
paid (unbiblical as that is),
and the church should not require members to tithe or give financially.
This is often due to a small number of “superstar ministers” who abuse
congregations and ministry financial supporter’s finances with lavish
lifestyles. The ministry abusers are
sinning against God. The majority of
pastors barely make ends meet.
Giving gifts of tithes and offerings are commanded in the
Old Testament and talk of as being a regulative part of worship in the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
“16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I
directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every
week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no
collections be made when I come.”
Paul in the Scripture
below states the standard New Testament verse about paying pastors.
1 Corinthians 9:9-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “ You shall not
muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?
10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written,
because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope
of sharing the crops."
Paul writes in 1 Timothy to pay the pastor well.
1 Timothy 5:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"17 The elders who
rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who
work hard at preaching and teaching".
Paul took a salary.
He did not take money from struggling churches.
Here he overstates that he “robbed”, or took money from a congregation
out of Corinth, so he could minister to the new spiritually weak church at Corinth. Congregations should be selfless and support
all gospel ministry they are able to share with.
2 Corinthians 11:8-11
“8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to
serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a
burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied
my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will
continue to do so. 10 As the truth of
Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of
Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”
In summary-
The church pays the preacher.
It is a myth Paul never was financially supported.
At times Paul was bi-vocational as he continued to minister
to areas who had no congregation to support him in new unreached areas..
No pastor has a biblical command to not take a salary.
Pay your preacher welll.
He has a family usually that needs food, shelter,
transportation, insurance, vacation. Educational and retirement needs.
The pastor has financial needs and needs to be paid – just like
you and the rest of the congregation.
Pay that preacher!
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