Why do religious ministers accept salaries?

Question

Didn't Jesus counsel his Apostles not to accept fees for ministering to the people (Freely received, freely give)? Did Jesus get paid to preach? Did he ever pass a collection plate? Did he ever ask for funds or attempt to build an establishment in which he could teach?

In my reading I found that Jesus only accepted the bare necessities (food, water, shelter). He lived a very austere life. No doubt his group accepted contributions as evidenced by Judas stealing from the contribution box, but they were by no means wealthy. In fact, he counseled a rich young noble to sell ALL his belongings and become his follower.

Adherents of religions that pay their members of the cloth, how can one rationalize a minister accepting a salary or fees for services that provides more than his necessities?

I know very few ministers who do their job full-time. Most of the ones I know have full time jobs and then accept additional pay for their services as a minister.

Additionally, here is a link to average pay for ministers. Not too shabby. Would Jesus have accepted such a standard of living?

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Minister/Salary

Answer 1

They should not be paid a salary, but should freely give of their time to the congregation. They should work a secular job to support themselves and their families. Jesus himself worked as a carpenter and the apostles had jobs also. Our faith has no paid clergy, never have had and never will.

Answer 2

We all need to be able to live. Jesus' disciples still fished to make a living for themselves. Today a pastor often spends all his time serving the people of the church, it is only rational that he gets a salary to support his family. Some churches provide a house next door for the pastor to live in, but in this society, we still need money to buy food and clothing and whatnot. Pastors of small or new churches often have an outside job because the smaller congregation doesn't require as much of his time, and they can't provide a livable wage for him. If someone is giving his life to serve the church, I am more than willing to pay him for it.

Read in the OT about the Levites. They were fed off the tithe. God did allow for the priests to be provided for by the people. If logic doesn't work , the word does.

Answer 3

The apostles all had jobs to provide for their needs. They were tent makers, fishermen, carpenters. That was the part time job. Their full time job was preaching and teaching. Those followers who had families, by necessity, had to work- for- pay more to take care of their families, as this was the obligation placed on them by Jesus.

None took money for their preaching or teaching. All were ministers. There was no clergy--laity classes.

None of the apostles were rich although that was not a sin. Problems with rich people came only when that was the main concern and not kingdom interests. Rich people were only told to rid themselves of riches when they would not do it. They valued their lifestyle and money more than faith in God.

Answer 4

Jesus had enough funds to pay taxes. He had a treasurer that had enough funds that he could steal money from it without being caught (opinion).

The case for the rich young ruler was not against riches, but the fellow asked what he needed to enhance his spiritual life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, which the young man replied that he had.

When he told him to sell all his goods and follow him (Jesus only said this to the apostles), the man walked away because his wealth ruled him.

Jesus had enough access to money that when he needed it, Peter could get it out of a fishes mouth.

Answer 5

In my opinion it all depends on the church. If the church can afford to do things like that then that's what they're going to be doing!
They are supposed to be there to preach God's word, but there are some people who need the money finacial wise.
Everything is not always about money! People make it about money. On earth, we have to make a living, but the Bible says that we should STRIVE to be more and more like Jesus! It didn't say that we would be exactly like him.
I think that most people should stop trying to always worry about money. Thats why most of our churchs are not coming together now.

Answer 6

Times have moved on since Jesus walked the earth and begging is totally frowned on and actually banned in a large part of the world now, a lot of these Ministers are married and need to support a family.

Answer 7

More than likely they get the inclination from the Catholic church where they charge for everything. I heard some even charge at the door to come in..........(Unconfirmed)

Ours doesn't even pass a plate or basket. We have no collections of any kind, but we do have donation boxes and there is never ever a default. There is always money sufficient or plus to pay the bills.

Answer 8

Practical reasons - house payment, spouse and kids, etc.

By the way, most of us Christians don't like to live in poverty, for one thing, so we cheat. We keep our money.

Some preachers from the Mennonite and Amish denominations do not accept money. They work and preach on the side if I remember correctly.

Answer 9

I do not why ? my pastors work for free and all of them have seglar´s work (1Timothy 5:17, 18.) the apostle paul never was a charge to the flock. (Acts 18:3; 1Thess. 2:9.)

Answer 10

Most ministers I know are far from wealthy. Their stipends are used for necessities...and often helping the less fortunate members of their community.