What does the bible say about paying someone to be a pastor, or preacher, or whatever you call the leader?

Question

I keep getting different answers...

Answer 1

The Bible says that the pastor is worth his wages. Don't confuse real Christian pastors with crooks.
Most pastors have a serious graduate degree, yet work for less than minimum wage. They are worth it.

Answer 2

Dear Friend,

Here is a good Bible quote on preachers getting paid:

Micah 3:11 ... the priests will teach for hire (get paid) and the prophets there divine for money (get paid) and yet they will ... say that the Lord (God) is among them.

True Christians preachers and teachers should teach to all freely ! Freely I have received and freely I share with all. I earn money by other secular, legal means.

Peace and progress,
Brother Dave, a Jesusonian
http://www.PureChristians.org/
large Good News website

Answer 3

Jesus said, "You received free, give free." (Matt. 10:8)

Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 that the apostles in the 1st century congregations worked jobs to not become a burden on the congregation and to be an example. He went on to tell if someone doesn't want to work, they should not eat.

Though there were elders in the congregation, all members of the early congregation were ministers. There was no clergy-laity classes.

Answer 4

I think paying pastors is a cop out. They should have a regular job like everyone else. Some of them make big time bucks. The members pay them so they don't have to do anything, like visit people. All the pastor should do is preach a sermon every so often... all the other work should be volunteer or subcontracted out.

Answer 5

Well as in any ministry a preacher or pastor needs to live somewhere, eat, take care of his family and so he is to have the reward of his work:

It is written:
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

It is their "job" therefore they need a salary to live like everyone of us.

Answer 6

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

Answer 7

Luke 10:1-8 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)

Luke 10
1After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

Answer 8

What are you looking for? The reason we pay pastors is so they can devout there time to God and to the poor and the needy and the members of the church.

Answer 9

pay unto Ceasar what is owed to Ceasar and unto God what is owed to God.
Because we live under a system where we need to get paid in order to survive (years ago people would get paid in either food or service for service).
Trust me, they don't get that much money unless they're a tele-evangelist then it's a different story.