(Matthew 10:7-15 KJV) "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. {8} Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. {9} Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, {10} Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. {11} And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. {12} And when ye come into an house, salute it. {13} And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. {14} And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. {15} Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorra in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Should a pastor be paid? The first New Testament ministers of the Gospel that we see are the disciples whom Christ sent out to preach the Word of God to Israel. As you know, Christ came for Israel first. These were God's covenant people, and God had promised that Messiah was coming to save them first. Though I don't want to get off track of what we're discussing here there are some who would object to using these verses because "these ministers only went to Israel". But the principle that the Scripture teaches still holds true, even though these ministers went only to Israel. Jesus sent them out in what we today call "Full Time Christian Service", just as many Church Pastors are in "Full Time Christian Service". If a minister is in Full Time Service, that is, if he is expected to be at the call of the Church at any time, then he certainly works more than just a few hours on Sunday. Jesus sent His disciples out into Full Time Service to preach the Gospel (illustrative of our present "a few hours on Sunday"), but they also had other duties that we can classify as "take care of the spiritual and physical needs of the people". Just as the Full Time disciples healed the sick, cleansed lepers, raised the dead, and charged nothing for these services (as Jesus said, "freely ye have received, freely give), Full time Pastors:

Counsel the spiritually needy
Visit hospitals and health care facilities - perhaps far from their home,
Hold the hands of the grieving, preach a final message over the departed,
Join two people - male and female - together in holy matrimony,
Mediate wars and fighting within the Church in order to maintain peace among the flock,
Offer specialized training to the Church,
Tolerate rude and obnoxious troublemakers,
Head up membership building and recovery campaigns,
Often oversee the grounds of the Church's building,
Pray for the Church, and in the midst of all this
Finds time to study, build, and present at least two timely and needed sermons every Sunday, regardless of holiday.

Pastors, whether full time or bi-vocational (part time) all share one thing in common: They work very hard giving to the Church, but are careful to not charge for their services. Ours is a calling, and a blessing from God. But we all work very hard without charge.

But though we charge nothing, Jesus made it plain that He expected those who hosted His ministers to pay for their upkeep. These ministers were told to take no extra resources with them: No gold, no silver, no money at all. When they went into an area they went with no reserves: the "worthy", those who are Godly, were expected to support these ministers until they departed. Think about that very carefully. Jesus told His ministers that, when they got to town, to ask "who in it is worthy". The word "worthy" is the Greek axios (pronounced ax'-ee-os), and it means "someone who is deserving or due a reward". You see, Jesus considered it a PRIVILEGE that someone support His ministers. Only the worthy, the axios, those who were righteous and due reward, were even to be considered as supporters of His ministers. Brother, it is an honor to support God's work, an honor to support those whom He has sent in His name. We should consider supporting the Pastor not as a strain on the Church budget, but a singular honor that God in His mercy bestowed on those whom He gave His life for.

Over the years I have talked to Pastors who were shamed when they were given a pittance by beggarly and unworthy Churches. One Pastor, a Godly and sacrificial man, told me that the Head Deacon always met him at the door and made a show of giving him his "paycheck" for the week. Usually the man remarked, "We've never paid a pastor this much money", or some such thing - something belittling as the check was given. One Pastor was overlooked several weeks until, finally in desperation, he had to plead from the pulpit for funds. The treasurer claimed that she "just forgot", as did the Deacon. But when a minister of Christ, His anointed and chosen, have to beg for funds, discipline is not far from the Church. Jesus told His ministers that if, when they found who was alleged AXIOS, worthy, to support them, and these people were NOT worthy at all, then the ministers were to leave that city. Those who would not support the ministers, nor heed their words, Jesus said "It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorra in the day of judgment, than for that city". What a judgment! God destroyed Sodom and Gomorra for homosexuality, but He promises that those who take His ministers lightly, those who refuse to support or heed those whom He has sent, that for those unworthy ones they will be judged much harsher than the Sodomites were ever judged! What a terrible judgment that would be! I do not believe that one who is truly saved, truly a lover of Christ, truly a Christian would begrudge one of His ministers that which is necessary for life. Sadly, though, many Churches do begrudge the minister out of ignorance, and some Churches have allowed the unsaved to come into the assembly of the saints.

(1 Corinthians 9:3-16 KJV) "Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, {4} Have we not power to eat and to drink? {5} Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? {6} Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? {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? {8} Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? {9} For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. {Quotation of Deuteronomy 25:4} Doth God take care for oxen? {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. {11} If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? {12} If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. {13} Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? {14} Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. {15} But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. {16} For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

Paul recognized that Christ's ministers had the right to be fully supported by their respective Churches. To show that God demanded support of His full time ministers, Paul referred back to the Law of Moses. Though the Christian is no longer bound by the Law of Moses, that Law reflects the holiness and desires, the standards of God. In the Old Testament every tribe in Israel was given land as an inheritance from God. Land was much more desired than gold or jewelry, for Israel was an agriculturally driven nation. They lived off of what they farmed or raised of livestock. Land was precious! But when God parceled out the Promised Land He gave absolutely no land to the priest, the Levites. The Levites belonged to God (Numbers 8:14). Since they belonged to God, they cared for the things of God. Since they belonged to God, they shared in the things of God, the tithe, that came into the Temple:

(Deuteronomy 10:9 KJV) "Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him."

Of every sacrifice that was brought into the Temple, God allowed the Levites to take a portion as food. Of every offering of food or precious ornaments that came into the house of God, the Levites took a portion. Of the tithe, which was ten percent of that which God had blessed Israel with, a portion of that tithe went to the Levites. Paul applied the principle of the Levites being supported by Israel to the New Testament minister. Though we in the New Testament are not bound by the Law, God has set aside ministers to carry His Word just as He set aside the Levites to care for the things of the Temple. God expects that His ministers be supported, not starved nor allowed to suffer, but be supported while they tend to His Word. Paul said that he and Barnabas had sown to the Corinthian Church spiritual things, therefore the believers there should have been more than willing to support them in carnal things (food, clothing, a place to stay, etc.). Here is a telling remark: Paul said "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel". Those who preach the Gospel are to be SUPPORTED by their ministries. This is something that the Lord ORDAINED, the Greek diatasso (pronounced dee-at-as'-so, Aorist Active Indicative), has ordered or decreed this principle ONCE AND FOR ALL. God demanded that the Jews support the Levites, their priests. Jesus demanded that His ministers be supported by the worthy Godly people where they preached. God's principle of supporting His ministers is His order to the Godly, and the Church Body's privilege, even today. However, there is one caveat, one exception.

There are some ministers who, because of the carnal condition of the people where they preach, voluntarily accept little to no funds from the Church that they preach at. Paul refused to accept funds from the Church at Corinth because these people, though Christian, had walked so far away from God that they would hold the Pastor's pay over his head. These carnal people, when they gave to the Church funds, did not consider the funds, once given, to be God's money. No, they were possessive of the money. It was "our" money, and "our" property, and "our" Church. Paul preached in the hard placed, and because the people he preached to were largely carnal, he refused their support - though he had every right to it. He said:

(1 Corinthians 9:15-19 KJV) "But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. {16} For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! {17} For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. {18} What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. {19} For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

And also,

(2 Thessalonians 3:8-12 KJV) "Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: {9} Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. {10} For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. {11} For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. {12} Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."

It's sad when the pastor has to reject that which is rightfully his because of the spiritual degradation of the people, but there are flocks where busybodies and carnal and rude and heathen behaving people abound. I know, I've been there, and I've left them when they would not receive the Word of God. In one flock the people withheld from the offering because they thought that, by doing this, they were punishing me. The truth is, God demands that His people recognize that He is the source of all that we own and all that we earn.

(2 Corinthians 9:5-9 KJV) "Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up before hand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. {6} But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. {7} Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. {8} And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: {9} (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever."

That which we return to God is God's, just as that which we keep is God's. God expects His believers, whom He died for, to give sacrificially and abundantly to the offering. That money is His, just as our every breath is His, and once we give it we should be ashamed to hold it in esteem as ours. When we withhold funds from the Church because the Pastor preaches something that hurts our feelings, we are not hurting the Pastor but we are angering God. It's His money, and we're withholding it from Him. When the Pastor has to refuse to accept funds from the Church because people are holding these funds over his head so as to control him, this is a slap in God's face. He has ordered that we support His ministers. If we have good cause and are unable to support the minister (such as few members in the Church, a extremely poor community, etc.) then that is one thing. If we are failing to support the minister because we think the money is ours, or because we think we are worthy to punish the Anointed of God, then that is another matter entirely. In the first case God can give an increase till we can support our minister. In the second case God will avenge those who withhold from the offering or the minister. Those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly. Those who refuse support and can give it, the Sodomites will shudder at their judgment when God dispenses it.

Paul preached in the hard places, and in between his preaching he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Though he had every right as a minister of the Gospel to be supported by the Churches he preached in, Paul refused payment from most because, quite frankly, they were too money oriented. But this doesn't mean that Paul accepted no funds from places where he preached. The Philippians were good and Godly Christians who gave to Paul, not just when he was with them, but when Paul preached in other local Churches:

(Philippians 4:15-19 KJV) "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. {16} For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. {17} Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. {18} But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. {19} But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

The Philippians gave "to Paul's necessity", not because Paul asked for it, but because their heart was in the right place. When a Church gives to God by giving to the Pastor then "fruit abounds to your account". Want to see a weak and sickly Church? Look for a pitiful, poorly giving Church. Want to see a Church that's growing both spiritually and physically? Look for a Church that's giving God's money back to God's coffers. Look for a Church that's supporting God's Anointed. The Philippians went so far as to, when they heard that Paul was imprisoned, send the emissary Epaphroditus to him to feed and care for him. What a blessing this must have been! Paul, beaten bloody and cast into a dark and dank prison and, out of the darkness hears the call, "Brother Paul, where are you?". Then to look up and in the dimness and amidst the stench of death and suffering to see Brother Epaphroditus bearing gifts from Philippi. To have tears of joy stream down your face when you know that your preaching was not in vain. Someone heard. The Philippians heard, responded, and now bathe my bloodstained back and feed my body's hunger with manna from Heaven. Beloved, it is such a precious gift to support God's ministers! Who are we that God should involve us in His awesome Plan? Who are we to deserve such a singular honor? Who are we to reject such an honor? If the President of the United States asked you to serve, wouldn't you do it? If a King asked you for help, wouldn't you give? And if you served, would you hold that service over the head of the King, as if your offering were anything other than reasonable service? Yet many Churches do this, even in Paul's time. What a shame that so many learn, when they stand before the Throne of Judgment, what blessings they have thrown away in this life by refusing to give back to God that which is already rightfully His. The Philippians had the right perspective. They gave, and God blessed abundantly because they gave. They gave BEYOND what they were called to give, and God supplied all their needs well beyond whatever they asked or thought (Ephesians 3:20).

Under the Old Testament Law, a TITHE or a TENTH of all that Israel owned was returned unto God. This tithe (Leviticus 27:32) belonged to GOD, and was His to do with as He saw fit. The congregation did not vote on how God's money was spent. The tenth portion was God's. Period. God gave the tithe to the Levites (Numbers 18:26), and the Levites gave a tenth of the tithe back to God. The Levites were not to disperse the tithe that they received - this was their sustenance (Deuteronomy 12:19; Leviticus 14:29).

As I mentioned before, we of the Cross are no longer under the Law, we are under Grace (Romans 6:14-15). Specifically, we are under the Law of the Spirit rather than the letter of the Law:

(Romans 8:1-6 KJV) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. {5} For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, then we will do that which is righteous. The same God who demanded His Levites be supported is the same God who demanded His Jewish Ministers be supported who is the same God who now demands that we support our Church age ministers. To what degree should we support them?

If the local Church is not mature in Christ; if its members still have one foot in the world; if there is a high mixture of carnal believers in amongst the righteous; if money and the support of the Church cause heated discussions in the business meetings of the Church; if the flock has an unwarranted focus on the building, the grounds, or anything that will be left behind when the Rapture suddenly comes; then the Pauline standard was that the minister accept little to no funds from that Church. Such a Church needs a Pastor who will preach the Word without worrying about recompense from the flock. Like Paul, that minister needs to be Bi-vocational, earning his income from a secular job while preaching, and rebuking when necessary:

(1 Timothy 5:20 KJV) "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

(2 Timothy 4:2 KJV) "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine."

(Titus 1:13 KJV) "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;"

(Titus 2:15 KJV) "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."

(Revelation 3:19 KJV) "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

I pray that this is not the case with your Church. No Pastor should be in want because the Church has a warped and worldly view of money, but, in truth, there are some who fall in this terrible category.

If the Church is righteously seeking God, yet is in poverty and need itself, then it should still give what it can to the support of their Pastor. As you give, God will give increase. One of the poorest Churches in the ancient world was the Churches of Macedonia, yet these believers were always liberal in their giving to the ministry of God. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states:

"The apostle [Paul] was also cheered by "the grace of God which had been given in the churches of Macedonia" (2 Corinthians 8:1); in the midst of severe persecution, they bore their trials with abounding joy, and their deep poverty did not prevent them begging to be allowed to raise a contribution to send to the Christians in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:2-4). Liberality was, indeed, from the very outset one of the characteristic virtues of the Macedonian churches. The Philippians had sent money to Paul on two occasions during his first visit to Thessalonica (Philippians 4:16), and again when he had left Macedonia and was staying at Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 4:15). On the present occasion, however, the Corinthians seem to have taken the lead and to have prepared their bounty in the previous year, on account of which the apostle boasts of them to the Macedonian Christians (2 Corinthians 9:2). He suggests that on his approaching visit to Achaia he may be accompanied by some of these Macedonians (2 Corinthians 9:4), but whether this was actually the case we are not told."

The Philippian Church was one of the Churches of Macedonia, and though poor it gave to Paul's needs even while he was imprisoned (as we saw before). If your Church is unable to support a minister in full time Christian service, then support him as sacrificially as you can - God will give you increase (Colossians 2:19). But be aware that Pastors are only human. If they must be Bi-vocational, then you cannot expect them to serve to the degree that you expect of a full time minister. The Bi-vocational minister needs to devote at least several hours every day to working at a secular job, just as Paul did. If you expect the Bi-vocational Pastor to carry the workload of the full time Pastor, then you'll quickly either cause him to resign or kill him. I have heard Church members complain that their Bi-vocational Pastor failed to follow them to the hospital and hold their hands when they were sick, that he forgot their birthdays, that he spent little time at fellowships or youth outings, and so on. The Bi-vocational Pastor has to devote his time to preaching the Gospel and teaching the Word in the Church. Anything else, he can only do when he is able. And, by the way, it normally takes most ministers several hours to prepare a lesson or a sermon. I've invested four hours just writing this teaching. Consider that when you consider a Bi-vocational Pastor and his workload. The Deacons and Teachers of the Church will need to take some of the workload off of the Bi-vocational Pastor. By the way, if your Pastor is to be Bi-vocational, help him find a job in the local area.

If your Church is able to support a Pastor in full time service, there is no Law that establishes how much money this should be. The Levites were given one hundred percent of the REGULAR tithe, and they tithed out of this. The New Testament sets no standard other than the leading of the Spirit. As you give freely, God will bless freely. If you sow little, don't complain if God gives you little return.

A good rule of thumb is to take the AVERAGE SALARY of the working people of the Church and make this the offering you give to the Pastor. If the average salary of the flock is thirty-thousand dollars a year, that is what you should offer the Pastor. That is, unless you want to do it the Levitical way, and give the Pastor a hundred percent of the regular offering.

The fairest way to determine what you should give the Pastor is the "average salary method". If the average salary of the flock is forty-five thousand dollars (take each person's salary, add them together, and divide by the number of people surveyed), then make that the offering to the pastor. If you are giving the pastor a place to live and paying all of his utilities you could deduct that from the "average salary" method. But be warned: I have heard Pastors complain that Church members often walked unannounced into the pastorium because, after all, it's "Church property". No, it's not! That building belongs to God, just like your life belongs to God. If you are going to give the Pastor a place to stay then you have no right going into that place without his invitation. If anything breaks down on the property, the Church needs to fix it. If it needs to be painted, the Church needs to paint it. It's God's property, and God's man and His family occupy it while he is your Pastor. We must be clear on that. If you are giving an offering to the Pastor (not a "salary", for he's not your employee - he belongs to God), you are giving God's money back to God in the way that God has told you to do. People too easily get confused on "Yours, Mine, and God's". It's all God's, He's just allowed you to have some while you're on this earth. Be fair with the Pastor. If he is spending money to move himself to where you are, consider contributing something to the move. Many Churches either pay for the moving expense, or send people out to go and help move the Pastor. If the Church has no pastorium, help him find a place to stay. God has sent him to you, he is God's Anointed: anything you do to make his transition smooth will be blessed by God. God has sent him to you, he is God's Anointed: Don't make him beg for money. There is a Judgment Day coming for us all, and God will remember how you treated His emissary. If his children are hungry, his wife poorly dressed, and his family's medical needs are ignored, you can expect that God will not be pleased. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and God will richly bless your Church in this life, and you all shall receive reward in the life that is to come (1 Corinthians 3:14-15; Colossians 3:24-25; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:14; Hebrews 2:2-3; 2 Peter 2:13-16; 2 John 1:8; Jude 11-18; Revelation 22:12-13).

(Hebrews 6:9-10 KJV) "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. {10} For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

God grant you peace, and a will to heed the way of righteousness. May He bless this time that you have together, both Pastor and flock, and may you grow together to be a mighty light for Jesus in this world of darkness.

God Bless!

by His hand, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Pastor David
http://www.bibleteacher.org

P.S. Before the carnal write to accuse, let me quickly point out that I, like Paul, accept no funds
nor salary for this ministry - it is wholly supported by God through bi-vocational ministry!