Why can't a priest have a second job? Why is he getting paid to lead a congregation in faith?

Question

This is specifically referring to Catholic priesthood, but all religious leaders apply here.

Answer 1

Priests have promised their entire lives to the service of Christ and the Church. Most priests work ten and twelve hour days and do not have the time or energy to work a second job.

However some priests do have second jobs that are an extension of their primary ministry. Father Andrew Greeley is an author: http://www.agreeley.com/

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Priests attend to the spiritual, pastoral, moral, and educational needs of the members of their church. A priest’s day usually begins with morning meditation and mass and may end with an individual counseling session or an evening visit to a hospital or home. Many priests direct and serve on church committees, work in civic and charitable organizations, and assist in community projects. Some counsel parishioners preparing for marriage or the birth of a child.
They also do training as teachers, medical, psychology etc

Answer 3

He is getting paid to lead us morons to the right faith. A typical Catholic Priest makes about $18,000 a year! A typical prebetyrian minister makes about $80,000 a year! At least the priest is working 7 days a week!

Answer 4

The priests are to live a life on faith, trusting the Lord for their food, clothing, and shelter. (Not all Catholic priests take a vow of poverty.)
It began back with the tribe of Levi, Jacob's son. The tribe of Levi was the source of priests for Judaism. They had no inheritance in the land, but the other tribes were to tithe to support the temple and the priests. The practice of tithing began even earlier with Abraham and Melchizedek.

Answer 5

Most clergy have jobs outside of serving the church. Catholic Priests and Nuns are the only ones I know of who don't. I work with a few people who are Reverends or Pastors of churches. I had a teacher in school (public school) who was also a Pastor.

Answer 6

The Apostle Paul WORKED as a tentmaker showed in Acts 18:1-3
Matthew 10:8 “YOU received free, give free.”


We all should work as imitating the apostles and work including ministers.

The apostle keeps adding in 1 Timothy 5:8 "Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith."

Answer 7

Catholic priests serve mass everyday and should have a homily every day. They are to be available for annointing of the sick whenever they are called, and generally be like Jesus when He was in active ministry. This is a great variance from other ministers in other religious denominations.

Answer 8

they are not fobidden a second job(religion other than catholic)but as leaders of the flock ,especially if it is a large flock,they would not be able to devote their time to the needs of the flock if they were busy with a secular job .they get paid because this is their job.(luke10:7,1corinthians9:1-14)

Answer 9

I am a Mormon and none of our religious leaders are paid at all. Nada,zip,zero. From the bottom to the top.Serving in any capacity should be done out of love and not for personal gain.

Answer 10

Catholic priests take a vow of poverty - their focus is on their congregation, not on outside interests or material possessions.