We are looking at several passages that are often used to defend the right of pastors to get paid. Frankly, I am not exactly against pastors getting paid. What I am against is the use of Scripture as a defense for the practice, especially when these passages are used to lay burdens of guilt on others if they don’t give more, tithe more, and “joyfully” sacrifice more.

We have looked previously at the Levitical Priesthood and the statement in Acts 20:35 that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Today we are going to look at the statement in 1 Corinthians 9 where Paul quotes from Jewish law: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”

First Corinthians 9 is about Apostolic ministry

First Corinthians 9 contains Paul’s defense of his right as an apostle to receive money from the people he minister among, but his refusal to do so in spite of his rights. Paul compares that apostolic ministry to soldiers who go to war and workers who tend fields. They enjoy the fruits of their labors, argues Paul, and so also should an apostle.

Paul supports his case with a quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4 about not muzzling an ox while it treads out the grain (9:9-10), and also mentions the biblical precedent of the priests serving in the temple who get to partake of the offerings and sacrifices that are brought in (9:13-14). In such ways, Paul clearly defends his right to receive payment for his work as an apostle. He goes on, however, to explain why he has given up this right so as not to be a stumbling block to anyone (9:15-18).
[Read more…]

How often have you heard a sermon about tithing based on Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”?

This is another example of a text ripped horribly out of context.

In the passage, Paul is providing instructions to a group of elders from Ephesus. In the preceding verses, (Acts 20:33-34), Paul reminds them that he has not been paid with gold and silver, or even with clothing, but has provided for his own needs, as well as those who travelled with him. He did this so that he and his companions would not have to accept payment from anybody in Ephesus.

Paul Provided for his own Needs

From statements Paul makes elsewhere, this seems to be his normal approach to ministry. He made tents for a living, to provide for his needs while he traveled and taught in the churches (cf. Acts 18:1-3; Php 4:14-16). And notice again that in verse 34, Paul not only provided for his own needs, but also for the needs of those who travelled with him! Though we often hear of “Tentmaking pastors,” I have yet to hear of one who not only provides for himself, but also for the other members on his team!

[Read more…]

Having looked briefly at Pastoral Pay in a previous post, I now want to address several of the passages that churches and pastors use to defend the practice of paying a pastor. We might be surprised to discover what these texts actually teach.

The first passage is not really a passage, but a biblical example: that of the Levitical Priesthood.

Some pastors point to the Levitical Priesthood as proof that spiritual leaders should have their needs met by the people they serve. Passages such as Numbers 18 and Deuteronomy 18 are often referenced in support of this idea.

While it is true that Priests serving in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, could eat of the grain and meat that was brought as sacrifices, it must be noted that this was only for the Priests who were serving at the time the sacrifice was made.

How often were Priests serving in such capacity? According to 1 Chronicles 23–24, the Priests were divided up into 24 divisions, with each division serving about two weeks out of each year. For the rest of the year, they had to provide for their own needs and that of their families.

But how did they do this?

[Read more…]

Previously we have looked at the pitfalls of pay and popularity that are inherent within pastoral ministry. The third pitfall is pastoral power.

Power is a great pitfall and temptation for many pastors.

It is not that power is evil. Power is good. After all, God has power, Jesus ministered with power, and the Holy Spirit comes in power.

The problem with power is that it can corrupt. It can go bad. It can be used in ways for which it was never intended. Power, when mixed with pride, becomes dangerous, damaging, and destructive. It can seek to control the lives, thoughts, and actions of others.

[Read more…]

There are several reasons pastors who want to leave pastoral ministry are unable to do so. The first, talked about yesterday, is that pastoral ministry provides their salary. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if salary is the only thing keeping you in pastoral ministry, you might want to look toward transitioning into another job.

A second reason that many pastors stay in pastoral ministry is that they enjoy the popularity it provides.

The Popular Pastor

Like it or not, many churches are in an “American Idol” competition for who has the best pastor. Ideally, churches often look for the pastor who is the best-looking, best-dressed, and best-educated.  They want someone who is a great speaker, is outgoing, friendly, and good with people. If possible, it would also be good for the pastor to be a well-known author, conference speaker, and radio or TV teacher.

Churches who get all this in a pastor, often become known, not by the name of their church, or what they do in the community, or how well they reflect Jesus Christ, but by the name of the pastor. For example, when I lived in Dallas, there were several famous churches in town, and though I often heard people speak about the church, I cannot remember anyone ever referring to the church by its name. Instead, people spoke of “Chuck Swindoll’s Church” or “the Church of T. D. Jakes.”

If you live in a city that has such a Christian Superstar, and you have friends come visit, where do they want to go to church on Sunday? If you asked them, it probably wouldn’t be to your church. Since they are only in town for the weekend, they probably want to go see the great pastor, the world-renowned author, the television evangelist. They want to go see the show.

[Read more…]