Why do ministers get paid?

Question

Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple. They were only trying to make a living.

Ministers do the same thing. Making a profit using the word of God.

Shouldn't that be done out of love?

My mother never once charged me for loving and instructing me.

Anything done for love is done for free.

Why should ministers get paid?

Answer 1

You're absolutely right; they shouldn't get paid. When Jesus sent his followers out in the ministry he told them not to accept money from those they were preaching to. Jesus himself never requested money or food or anything in exchange for God's word, as a matter of fact, he provided food to those he was preaching to on occasion. Contributing to the means to operate a place of worship, such as mortgage, electric and water bills and the cost of literature is one thing, but getting paid a salary to shepherd God's flock is disgusting. Just like the money changers it turns God's place of worship into a business. If a pastor wants to be a full-time minister, he should be content with only what he needs which is sustenance, clothing and shelter. When you see these so called men of God telling their congregations that they better pay up or they're not good Christians and the majority of the congregation is poor while they're living in a nice house, in a nice neighborhood, driving a fancy car and not having a secular job it's obvious that they're abusing the position they've taken just like the pharisees of old did.

You should attend a meeting at one of the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses sometime and see how things work there.

Answer 2

They may love the "word of God" or not -- I wouldn't set foot in a church so I don't know -- but they usually feel "called" to their vocation. Most jobs aren't like that -- I've never heard of an accountant or fast food cashier who felt a strong pull to their jobs.

They should get paid because it is a job... it is not just "done for love." Many ministers are also the business administrators of their churches. They are often on call 24 hours a day and make more "house calls" than physicians, as well as more visits to hospitals. They listen to people's problems, spend time with them. Every week they prepare a speech and deliver it to an audience, sometimes two or three speeches a week.

It is said that doctors generate income and hurses generate care. Nursing is like tending to a child who needs what they can give, but I cannot conceive of anyone who thinks they should not get paid.

Ministers are paid for the same reasons that mechanics and babysitters do: they perform a service for which people are willing to pay. Their service is deemed necessary by someone, or there wouldn't be a salary for it.

Some smaller churches frequently have ministers who hold down a day job and tend to their "flocks," which is often unpaid labor or a very nominal amount.

Answer 3

You are comparing apples and bazookas here.

The money changers were making the temple into a circus. In order to even buy an animal to sacrigice, first you had to convert your money to Temple Money. Then they overcharged the poor. The PREVENTED people from worshiping. Anyone doing the work of God has always had a right to get paid for it.

However, as a minister, I don't have the right to charge you to worship God. If you decide to support me or not is your decision, not mine, and if you decide to worship, likewise, is your decision, not mine.

Most ministers don't just preach on Sunday, you know. Most ministers work 80+ hours a week. They need to feed their families, too.

Answer 4

Ministers should get paid if they devote their time to their church and studying God's Word. Jesus did not get paid because He could feed many by speaking the Word. His apostle had to give up because they had to give up all to get into the kingdom. Today we are saved by grace through faith and God is not doing miracles, 1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. I know that there are ministers of Satan who preach the gospel for money but they should be identify by their people. 2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Answer 5

Because there is no free lunch in today's world. The Minister has to pay rent, food, transportation and other living costs just like a factory worker. If he were an unpaid Minister, he would need to have a full time job to meet his expenses? People don't tend to have that kind of energy after laboring all day.

Most people don't realize how much work it is to be a Minister. There are baptisms, weddings, funerals, memorials, house blessings, nursing home and hospital visits, and endless people needing a visit and support. I work as secretary to an Orthodox Priest who almost never has a moment of time to himself. Even on vacation, he calls the office every day to be certain he is not needed.

Answer 6

under the Law, the priests still made a living. they recieved a certain percentage of all the offernings that were given, and i think that a minister's payment is the same sort of thing. not only that, but the heads of many secular charity organizations (i.e. UNISEF) get paid as well. they aren't expected to do their good work for no pay. i don't think that ministers should be rolling in dough, but they have to have a way to support themselves. very few people would put in the kind of hours that they do simply for the small amount of money that they recieve.

Answer 7

You're comparing those who preach the gospel to the Money Changers? The only way that works is if we assume ALL preachers are like TBN Preachers who preach about getting rich.

Not all preachers are that way. Non the less, ministers (real ones) who devote their lives full time to the preaching of God's word have to provide for their families. A workman is worthy of his hire.., the Apostle Paul said that and said there is no shame in making one's living from the Gospel. He did teach against ministers who preach that gain is godliness (like TBN and other TV Preachers)

Answer 8

It's not like they charge a fee for you to come to church. The money changers were charging exorbitant fees for the sacrifice animals that the people needed to worship at that time. Pastors who are humble stewards of the church's resources never take more than they need. Or in other churches, the elder board or the congregation sets the pastor's salary, so it's not even up to them. In my church, the pastor's house is smaller than most other members' houses. They don't drive fancy, gas-guzzling cars. They don't go out to eat very often, and when they do, they skip the appetizer and drink water. They don't live in debt, giving valuable resources away in interest. In short, they live more modestly and responsibly than anyone else I know. So why target them?

P.S. I also heard (from my pastor) that Rick Warren, pastor and author of The Purpose Driven Life, has made millions from his bestselling book. What has he done with that? He and his wife decided to "reverse tithe," meaning that he only keeps 10% of his earnings and gives the rest to the church! He also refuses to take a salary from his church because he doesn't need it. What a great example!

Answer 9

Usually they have a family of their own to clothe and feed, we are not talking huge salaries here, except for the ones that absconded with the church members money, like Tammy Faye Baker and her husband Jim, and I know there are many more out there.
The ones on TV probably bring in some money, but I am sure the air time must cost them a lot.
Sad to say, I think the love part only goes so far, it would not be the same sort of love that your mother had for you.

Answer 10

When Jesus drove the money changers from the Temple He did so because they were only there to profit from worshipers. They were not there to worship or to serve God. They were running a scam. He told them they had turned His Father's house into a "den of thieves."

When we send soldiers into battle, do we tell them to buy their own equipment, and their own gun and ammo and helmet. No, we provide them with the tools they will need to accomplish the mission. We send them, we have the obligation to support them.

Same goes for Pastors. We call them to full-time service. What you expect them to use for food and clothing and housing and all of life's other necessities? While I have known a few pastors who worked an outside full-time job in addition to Pastoring a church, it was always at a very small church. It is impossible with a church of any size. There is just way too much work for them to do.

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"--Romans 10:14-15