PREACHERS AND MONEY: WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE?

BBorn in the early 70s and raised solely Pentecostal Apostolic, I have found it interesting to see so many churches transition from traditional to contemporary in their views and beliefs. Although a few remain unencumbered by the changing of times, many have shifted their practices to align with the modern-day church. The status quo seems to be technologically advanced ministries plug into a network of other ministries to establish an international brand. This changing of the tide is something that we as believers should, at the very least, stop for a moment and take note of. Of course, I’m not suggesting that churches should not advance as our world advances. However, when the lines of business and ministry become so blurred that we no longer recognize the primary purpose of the church (which is to win souls), we are standing on the threshold of great tragedy.

As preachers and pastors in particular, we must remain cognizant of our charge of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone, and not become distracted or drawn away by the luxuries or popularity that we may obtain along our ministerial journey. While we cannot control what people give us as ministers of the gospel (although some do try to control it), we can determine how we represent ourselves and our heavenly Father as recipients. Should we receive s etc. as ministers? Absolutely. But how urselves plays a major role as well. my research, I have found three main er receives compensation. One is offerings, another is through salary, and another through charging. Let’s see what the Bible says about these three:

Love Offerings:

The Bible is clear that blessing and caring for preachers who labor in ministry is well in order (Philippians 4:15-18). When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he expressed his gratitude to those who gave to him, even so much that he firmly proclaimed that he was full and abounded. If people want to give freely to preachers, out of their substance, it is a blessing not only to the recipient but to the giver as well: “The liberal soul shall be made fat” (Proverbs 11:25); “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:38); “…It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35); “…for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7); and the list goes on. The problem is not giving. The problem is preachers who tax, pressure, and guilt saints into giving what they do not necessarily have. Everyone’s financial situation is different. Some people have it to give and others do not. Embarrassing and humiliating people until they give their last, with no regard for them, or declaring that they are faithless because they are struggling with giving, is outrageous. Where do we draw the line? People have given all they had, not because they trusted God (which is completely fine) but because they were concerned about being called out by the preacher, pastor, or church leader. At the end of the day, we should be good stewards of what God has given us. There’s nothing wrong with faith giving but we should also be wise in our giving and not be negatively influenced by those who have only a personal agenda.

Salary:

Being in full-time ministry can very well be a fulltime job, although some are in full-time ministry and still work a full-time job. Obviously, taking a salary from a church that can afford it is not wrong. However, even in this, we should exercise reasonable judgment. It is not a question of whether it’s biblical. The Scriptures support the idea that laborers in the ministry should be taken care of, both in traveling and in the local assembly (Ezekiel 44:30, Luke 10:3-9, I Timothy 5:17, 18). The most familiar biblical passage supporting this truth however, is I Corinthians 9:7-14. In these verses, Paul makes several points regarding the preacher’s compensation. It is essentially irrefutable: “muzzle not the ox that treads out the corn,” Moses first made this statement in the law, Jesus confirmed the statement in the gospels, and Paul supported it in his first letter to Timothy.

Let's also look at two other verses; “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal (material) things?” vs … 11, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” vs ... 14.

One of the biggest problems in the church today however, is people’s perception of what is given and how it is spent. There are two ways to view this. The first is when a preacher/pastor takes a salary and desires to live a certain lifestyle but the members of the congregation do not have the means to support it. Yet the preacher/pastor demands it anyway, even threatening hell’s fire as a recompense for the congregation’s so-called rebellion or disobedience. This could not be more wrong. Furthermore, if people become angry because they are essentially giving under duress, then their hearts are not pure in their giving. Paul explicitly speaks against giving grudgingly (II Corinthians 9:7). The second view is that the church members love their leader and give freely out of their substance. They want to see their leader blessed and living well. A strong biblical reference is Exodus 36:3-7, in which the people freely gave so much for the work and service of the sanctuary that Moses had to tell them to cease giving. Under these circumstances, if the preacher/pastor is blessed to live a certain lifestyle, then it is by the grace of God. No one should accuse or criticize the leader for misusing or abusing what the people have freely given.

Charging:

It is one thing to receive a love offering; it is another thing to be on salary. Charging for ministry is an entirely different thing. A love offering is understandable, a salary is understandable, but charging a fee before accepting an engagement is not. In Matthew 10:7, 8, Jesus was very clear when He sent His disciples out to minister: “…freely ye have received, freely give.” If salvation is free and the gospel by which we receive salvation is also free then we should pre that clear as well in the gospel of Chris

… I M M A K E

G O S P E C H R W I T H

C H A R G

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… F R E E L Y Y E H A V E R E C E I V E D ,