How should I ask this? Should ALL clergy preach for free like Jehovah's Witnesses do if they really love God?

Question

See if my reasoning is in agreement with the Golden Rule and lovingly bold and honest!
http://www.geocities.com/constitutionally_sound/truth

Like said below "1. Jehovah's Witnesses have no paid clergy. Yet they remain tightly organized with more than 6.5 million active Jehovah's Witness preachers (about 16 million associate themselves with the religion). Even fulltime preachers and workers at their branch offices are unpaid volunteers." Like said on my website above, "You cannot slave for God and Riches." (Matt. 6:24) Money is needed but how much should go to the teachers if they in truth love God and neighbor for real? The truth is paid clergy will teach people what they want to hear not need to hear! What does the Bible say about those kind of clergy and their followers ears? I know you know what I mean! See my bold talk on my website and after that give feedback.


Again, "Should ALL clergy preach for free like Jehovah's Witnesses do if they really love God?"

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses have the true religion. They are Christian (of course), but they are unique for their rejection of paganisms, use of God's personal name, and global preaching by every active adherent. No other religious organization can claim such purity of worship.

These facts about Jehovah's Witnesses are perhaps relevant to this question. The more one compares this Christian religion with others, the more remarkable it is shown to be.

1. Jehovah's Witnesses have no paid clergy. Yet they remain tightly organized with more than 6.5 million active Jehovah's Witness preachers (about 16 million associate themselves with the religion). Even fulltime preachers and workers at their branch offices are unpaid volunteers.

2. There is no elite class among Jehovah's Witnesses. Even the few 'anointed' among them enjoy no special privileges in their congregations on earth. An anointed person (one of those relative few with a heavenly hope) is not elevated above his fellow congregants in any way, and he may not even qualify for appointment as a simple 'deacon' or elder. There are no titles; EVERYONE is addressed as 'brother' or 'sister'.

3. No person benefits economically from the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Even the 8 to 20 men who serve on their Governing Body receive simply room, board, medical care, and reimbursement for certain personal expenses according to the exact same provision as every other branch volunteer.

4. About a hundred men have served on Jehovah's Witnesses' Governing Body committee during the past 125 years or so. The vast majority of them have spent the vast majority of their adult lives volunteering for their organization's purposes, and the vast majority have died faithfully and near-pennilessly while still under their legal 'vow of poverty'.

5. Amazingly, Jehovah's Witnesses did not splinter as a sect from some other religion. Instead, a truly tiny but sincere group of bible students studied only the Scriptures to determine the will of God. Thus their religion remains absolutely independent of and not carrying the sins of Christendom's history, yet carries the authority of Christ's teachings.

6. Despite the distortions of anti-Witnesses, throughout their modern history Jehovah's Witnesses have refused to claim divine inspiration or infallibility for their teachings. They have pointed to the bible (and not any particular translation) as the only inspired infallible means of knowing God's thoughts. For over 125 years, their teachings have been presented as merely the results of sincere bible research by imperfect but godly humans.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20040601/article_02.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/who.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm

Answer 2

I went to a church where all the clergy had regular jobs. They thought it was a privilege to preach on their own time. However, the Bible does say it's OK for preachers to receive pay. Paul uses an example from the Old Testament to back this idea: "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." (1Tim. 5:18).

In other words, the farm animals were well taken care of with earthly things like food and shelter, so why not God's servant? it is good to reward those who serve in this way.

Answer 3

The Amish and the JWs are the only two large religions that I know of who don't pay, often handsomely, for their clergy and leaders.

There's been a dispute going on here locally megachurch finances and how the family that runs it is living high off the hog.
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/49044.html

I think it would be disastrous as it would mean that would have to begin teaching all their members the Bible as a whole and how to preach and teach, which most people who go to church don't want to be bothered with.

Answer 4

This is a question of the heart. There are some (and I prefer not to name names but you've probably seen em on tv) that are obviously in the preachin business so they can look good to others and make a quick buck. How ever there are many Good Godly men and women who go and preach as they have been called to... and only accept what they need to put food on the table and do what God called them to. Nothing more. Paul accepted money and help food and lodging from the people he preached to. And he warns us of Heirlings people who are in it for the money. And it's pretty darn easy to pick out the difference. Put it this way... If a preacher is doing God's will then God's gonna take care of him... manytimes that means that his "flock" is going to want to give him money or help in some way to bless him for blessing them... It also happens that a preacher would have the means to work out side the church... to do that he would need help from his church so he can delegate responciblities to others. Other wise he just wouldn't have the time to work.

I don't think that it is a requirement that a preacher not be paid if we follow pauls example. We just need to be cautious... testing the spirits and asking for discernment to know the hirelings from the true workers of the gospel.

Answer 5

I truly believe the clergy or people under the cloth should share their gift that God gave them for free, they paid nothing for the Holy Spirit but they are recieving a profit off of God's work and word, Peter wasn't paid, Jesus didn't get paid, That's like me charging someone to heal them when I was given the gift for free, well I paid a price but not a monetary price.

Answer 6

I think it is a matter of choice with the person who is called, and any congregation he has.

If anyone is contentious about this, may I remind them of what Paul says about disputable matters: "Who are you to criticize someone else's servant? His own Lord will determine whether he stands or falls. And stand he will, because God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:4)

And pastors may full well receive compensation from their serving God in the ministry.

Again, Paul teaches, "In the same way, the Lord has ordered that those who proclaim the gospel should make their living from the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:14)

He continues elsewhere by saying, "Elders who handle their duties well should be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain," and "A worker deserves his pay."" (I Timothy 5:17-18)

Answer 7

I don't think so. I do not think it is God's will that His children live in poverty or live hand to mouth. Some do this but, I don't think that is what God wants. That can get into a whole other ballgame though, depending on idividual beliefs.

Answer 8

YES.BUT THEN THERE WILL BE LEFT NO CLERGY,ONLY TRUE LOVERS-WORSHIPPERS OF GOD,WHO WORK OUT OF LOVE,NOT FOR WAGES.gfr.

Answer 9

I guess if people want part time clergy then that's how to go about it. Some churches prefer someone who is available to them 24/7

Answer 10

The plane you are on is flying very low and out of control. You are about to crash! Remember what the stewardest told you? In a situation where the HO2 masks drop and you are sitting next to your child - put your mask on first so you will be able to help save your child. If you can't save yourself then how can you save someone who depends on you? God provides for those who do unto others.