HomeDigital MinistryCommunication5 Things The Bible Says About Paying Pastors or Church Leaders

5 Things The Bible Says About Paying Pastors or Church Leaders

-

Learn About AI for Churches

The pastor's salary is frequently a source of contention. What does the Bible say about paying pastors? How much should a leader make?

On the one hand, people argue that they are to be servants and thus can serve within the church as pastor while working elsewhere. For instance, the Apostle Paul had a tent-making job, and many claim that modern pastors must do the same. It's a question that's been debated countless times. Thankfully, the Bible clears up any confusion on the subject.

5 Things The Bible Says About Paying Pastors or Church Leaders

#1 – 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

For anyone who contends the Apostle Paul did not expect pastors to be paid by the church, please read these verses in Thessalonians.

Paul did have a tent-making job, presumably when working within the city of Corinth and Thessalonica. However, it is clear that it wasn't the ideal situation. These verses readily claim that Paul had it very rough, simply because he did not want to burden the church with any of his own needs. Sure, pastors can have a servant-like attitude like him, but the congregation can also have a generous spirit. They should expect a portion of their tithe to go towards the pastor's salary.

Some say pastors should be tent makers because of Paul's example. Yet, this was a hardship for him because he didn't want to burden the church. Churches should be careful to be generous and not make money their master. Click To Tweet

#2 – 1 Corinthians 9:9-14

For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

Once again, Paul makes a strong case for pastors getting paid by the church. Taking a passage from the Old Testament, he makes the argument that pastors should be able to make a living off of the spiritual work that they do. No sane farmer would muzzle his ox while he treaded grain, so why would anyone do that to a pastor? Paying him a fair wage for the amount of work he puts in frees him up to focus on the Word of God and on ministering to the congregation.

Make sermon writing easier: Sermon Preparation Software Roundup To Stay Organized and Creative

#3 – Luke 10:7

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Put simply, any worker deserves compensation for his work. If the pastor is putting in hours at the church office, counseling, visiting the congregation, mentoring others, and studying for weekly messages (sometimes numerous ones throughout the week), I think it’s a fair expectation that he gets paid. After all, the worker (pastor) is worthy of his wages.

If you've never realized how much the pastor really works, start tallying up all the times you see him at church. As one who has worked inside of a church for a handful of years, I've seen firsthand how many hours the pastors and church leaders work. They are often in the office five to six times a week and make different weekly meetings during evening ministries. Also, they attend all or most of the church services, and then even find time to go to hospital visits and personal ministry calls. It’s a lot — they deserve to be paid fairly.

#4 – Philippians 4:16-19

Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Wouldn't you rather be like the church described here? Specifically, one that makes your pastor or church leader overflowing with praise because of the compensation with which you paid him? It is far better to give than to receive, and yet congregants often receive from the pastor but never give back. Something is wrong with that picture. 

Need fresh sermon illustrations? 5 Funny Sermon Illustrations You Can Use This Week

#5 – Acts 6:2

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.”

Although this verse is not expressly about paying pastors, it does have an implication towards that. If you want your pastor to be freed up to do pastoral ministry, he has to get paid, plain and simple. How can you expect a pastor to truly focus on pastoral ministry with all his energy and efforts if he has to pick up a second or third job just to pay the bills?

Conclusion

A pastor should get paid by the church with a fair wage. He should never determine his own payment but have outside board members determine a fair payment. This amount is commensurate with the amount of work he is doing and the congregation size.

It’s understandable that people have become wary regarding pastors getting paid. So many of the televangelists and large churches have fallen into the public eye with expensive houses, cars, and jewelry. It seems out of place, and probably rightfully so. However, it does not follow that a church should just cease paying pastors. The fact is, if they need people to do pastoral work—then pay for pastoral ministers!

It really is true; you get what you pay for. If you don’t pay your pastors, chances are they get sidetracked with other work in order to pay the bills. Remember, a worker is worthy of his wages.

Additional Resources:

We hope these resources are helpful to you!

 

Looking for data on church giving? Be sure to check out 10 Stats About How Churches Are Faring Regarding Giving.

Give us your best sermon humor. Drop a comment and share!

Learn About AI for Churches
Lauren Hunter
Lauren Hunterhttps://laurenhunter.net
Lauren Hunter is a writer who loves the big picture of God’s journey we are all on together. In 2007, she founded ChurchTechToday, a website for pastors and church leaders to harness technology to improve ministry. Married to her high school sweetheart, Lauren lives in Northern California with her husband and their four children. Her latest book is Leaving Christian Science: 10 Stories of New Faith in Jesus Christ. She can be found online at https://laurenhunter.net.

17 COMMENTS

  1. I received a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry over 25 years ago when I was a young man. I have been uncomfortable with paid christian positions for as long as I can remember. I think it is because as a kid I saw how hard my dad worked. I could not feel right asking people who worked that hard to give me their money.
    Fast forward to today. I’ve never been in paid ministry. (though that was my intention when I went to Bible college) This has given me a chance to study the Bible in a way which my peers that took jobs in ministry never could. When you take a ministry job as a young man you agree to belief statements that others wrote. In essence the doctrine statement of your church can become your cannon. If you question anything, then you must resign. This can lead people in ministry to often consciously or subconsciously avoid many topics.
    Maybe a better question than whether or not it is right to pay ministers is ‘does the Bible support our cultural practice of primarily ordaining young men with minimal life experience?
    Our system basically only allows pastoral ministry for people with a Bible degree. This degree is expensive and doesn’t qualify someone to do much else than preach.
    I am very thankful for the time I spent in Bible college. But we probably need to help people follow God in a way not based on debt.
    As a middle aged man with grown kids I don’t need so much income today. I can do things for free because my house is paid for and kids grown. I have more time to both work and be involved in church.
    Paul very clearly tells Timothy it is people at this point in life he should be considering to install as pastors. These people have had time to love God and study the Bible as they attended church for years while working and raising a family.
    Today I’m thinking about what God wants me to do. I love the church I attend (with a paid pastor, who has changed life and helped me be a better man.) I probably don’t need, want, or deserve a christian salary, but I see my focus transitioning into teaching Bible and I’m not sure what else. But I want my life to focus more on Christ and less and less on my day job.

  2. I appreciate this blog post for providing a balanced and biblical perspective on the issue of paying pastors and church leaders. It is important to remember that the Bible does not explicitly command that pastors be paid, but it does provide some clear principles that can guide us in making decisions about this issue.

    One of the key principles is that pastors are called to be full-time ministers of the gospel. This means that they should be able to devote their full energies to their ministry without having to worry about earning a living from another job. This principle suggests that it is appropriate to provide financial support to pastors so that they can focus on their calling.

    Another important principle is that pastors are stewards of God’s resources. This means that they should be responsible and accountable for how they use the money that is given to them. This principle suggests that pastors should be transparent about their finances and should use the money they receive to support their ministry and to help others.

    The Bible also teaches that pastors are to be compensated fairly for their work. This does not mean that they should be overpaid, but it does mean that they should be paid enough to live comfortably and to support their families. This principle suggests that we should be willing to provide financial support to pastors so that they can live a good life and focus on their ministry.

    Of course, there are also some challenges associated with paying pastors. One challenge is that it can lead to corruption and abuse of power. Another challenge is that it can create a sense of entitlement among pastors. However, these challenges can be overcome by following the biblical principles outlined above.

    Overall, I believe that the Bible teaches that it is appropriate to pay pastors and church leaders. This does not mean that we should give them lavish salaries, but it does mean that we should provide them with the financial support they need to do their job effectively.

    I am additionally adding one more thing if you want to know about What Does the Bible Say About Self-satisfaction to visit the site whodoes-what.

  3. I have a really hard time with this. I don’t think the scripture is that clear cut on the issue. A couple of these scriptures indicate that Paul is saying that he would be entitled to some sort of material reward, but he intentionally refused in order to set an example and to remove any question about his motives. Perhaps, he’s actually saying the opposite of what our traditional take is on this matter in a couple of these verses? I think its also apples to oranges to compare the 1st century church gathering offerings to help with missionary journeys to modern day ongoing church salaries. Just my 2 cents.

    I was in full-time paid ministry for over 25+ years. Just a few years ago, I voluntarily left my position in the church over this very issue as my conviction grew stronger and stronger that our system of institutionalized church with paid staff has little to no resemblance to what is seen in the NT church. I say this as someone who was at a very high level in the church. I was paid a very comfortable 6 figure salary with full benefits and was exempt from income tax on my earnings. My job was very cush compared to my secular career now. Looking back on it, I feel a lot of conviction with how easy I had it while members in my churches worked as hard as I have to now! Personally I came to a place where I couldn’t reconcile my staff position any longer. It just seemed wrong and unnecessary. It wasn’t just this issue, but it was a HUGE factor. I was done with the system and could no longer pretend that everything was ok in the American church system. No, I didn’t fall away or leave ministry. I didn’t even quit church. I spent the last few years working through it all and trying to come to grips with where we’re at in the church today and where I fit after my exodus from the clergy.

    Based on my personal convictions, I left my comfort zone as a paid staff minister, but I continue to serve the body today and use my gifts and talents in a local church for free now with zero expectation of financial compensation. And I have to say it actually feels pure for the first time in my life. How many pastors if would be there if they weren’t paid to be there? I used to wonder that about myself. There were many times if it hadn’t been my job, I definitely would have stayed home! But now, nobody, including myself, can question my motives for being there. I have nothing gain and no reward other than approval of Jesus and I believe that’s how ministry should be for us all. I see countless churches filled with ministers and support staff that could honestly fill the same role as volunteers. I still serve on average around 20 hours a week in my church on top of a full career and family life. Is is hard? Heck yeah! Would it be easier if I got paid to do it? Yep. Would I likely receive my reward on earth, forfeiting it in heaven. Sort of feels that way! Did the apostle Paul choose the easy road and take the paycheck. Doesn’t appear that way from the NT. Ministry is a sacrifice. Anything that makes it appealing, easy, sexy, attractive… well, that may not be ministry at the end of the day.

    I realize I’m in the minority of this mindset in the church. I don’t expect many will take the road I’ve taken, but I also believe that there’s a special blessing and freedom for those who choose this better way. One of my favorite quotes to apply to this topic regarding paid clergy is from Upton Sinclair. I believe he was referencing politicians, but it applies even more appropriately to paid church staff. “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” Upton Sinclair

    So much more I could say and share, but I’ve done enough damage to our sacred cows for today!

    • I agree with you, John. Working in ministry is a sacrifice and completely selfless. We are called to be evangelists no matter our position within the church, especially in Christianity. One thing is for sure the disciples weren’t paid. Matthew left that life behind. He was a tax collector.

  4. Today’s modern preacher are way over paid. Many are down right lazy getting full time pay for part time work. It’s nothing like in Jesus’s day.

  5. As I understand at this time:
    Tithe is 10 percent of your yearly increase of livestock/agriculture/good/services. And the Bible says that tithe goes to the widows and orphans. Not to the, pastor, preacher, building. Church comes from the Greek word Ecclesiastes a translation of the Hebrew word koheleth, which means “one who convenes an assembly” or simply a preacher.

    I question “Churchianity, the business”?

    You cannot serve YHWH and Mammon.

    Most follow not the Bible they carry.

    Christians say they are saved by grace, so what does any Bible rule, law, loving instruction matter. Pass the plate, I think not.

    Saved by Grace “if” washing and walking in the word.
    The Word, the Bible = Covenant and Renewed Covenant of Yeshua ha Mashiach and the Internal Dwelling Ruach ha Quodesh given us by our Creator. His shem is YHWH and we call the 3 Elohim Echad. Pitch your tent with Elohim and he will pitch tents with you.

    Shalom

  6. Most verses I’ve read specifically mirror Jesus with the poor. Especially Proverbs. God repays those who take care of Jesus( the poor) I’m not against pastors collecting tithe( fruit) see Deuteronomy 14. If tithe is money what did they exchange it to if the way got to long?
    Deuteronomy 14:22-25
    22¶Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
    23And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
    24And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
    25Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

    Maybe I’m a neophyte!

  7. Hodges April 06, 2023
    Well Mack you know it’s like this: there are all kinds of responsibilities that fall into a person’s lap who decides to ask God to show them a church where they can use their musical abilities. Often times a praise needs one person to faithful commits to being there every Sunday if the praise team is small and their instrument or voice is desperately needed to make the efforts of all others on the team truly worthwhile. Also, there is the subject of; Who will choose the songs and make sure that there are chords and lyrics for everyone involved? Music and what it takes to build an effective worship team as well as faithfully leading the congregation, is a lot of hard work and dedication. I used to say that if everyone on the team worked together, there would be no need to hire a worship team leader. However, that is so much easier said than done. Also, many times it is so much easier for the song leader to take on the responsibilities of preparing songs, chord charts, and lyrics for the congregation in the form of power point slides or hand held papers, than to have to deal with waiting on volunteers or even dealing with the laxness of people and inconstancy of responsibility once they do volunteer. Also, many times the people who do volunteer have hidden motives and it becomes a nasty power hold.
    I tend to disagree now in the way I feel about paying the worship leader. I mean if you really want to pay the pastor to stand up and deliver a 30 minute talk on a particular book of the Bible, then you may as well pay the worship leader to deal with other musicians and singers, as well as set the worship time in order for the congregation.

        • Wait, by that logic, then no Christian should work any job. I mean, if you want to state all money corrupts the people who have it, then what is the point in any Christian working at all? Wouldn’t it show more faith if we all collectively waited for God to provide manna from heaven?
          Your comment also is interesting in the way that it highlights the fact that Judas was in control of the money for the group. Meaning that Jesus’ ministry was funded. Couldn’t the Son of Man simply ask the Father for all the things He needed? Surely, if Jesus was implying that all money corrupts those who hold it, then Jesus wouldn’t have collected money for His ministry at all. The Bible is careful to state that money can corrupt, but does not always do so.

  8. Grace & Peace: greetings in Our Lord. My question is should church musicians or worship leaders get paid. They most have daily jobs and some are professional musicians. They should give the gift & service to Lord as a offering as praise especially when they are members of the congregation. No one should charge for worship & praise. Freely give, freely recieve as for musicians. I understand the Levitical order as priest. However the minstrels of the temple did not get or receive pay. What do you think the scripture speak on this I have found nothing to support musicians or worship leaders in the church getting paid.

  9. Now I see a man of God who is laying down his life trusting in God for his needs, not taking up love offerings everytime he has a need.
    Once again it says these signs will follow those who believe and it talks about Healing The Sick and raising the dead and casting out demons I don’t see this happening by the leaders of the church if that only follows those who believe it would make me think that they don’t truly believe it. So what am I paying them for? The Bible also talks about people laying money at the disciples feet and them dividing it amongst everybody who had need so that everybody had enough. Why aren’t they doing that? Somebody has a financial needs they pray for him and tell him they need to trust God? It said that none of them considered any of their belongings their own but they shared everything. How come there people in the church core broke I’m stressing on whether they can keep their lights on or they can feed their children and you’ve got other members of the church including pastors and elders who are the living in homes they own not rent understanding and driving newer cars?

  10. Ok, I cant tell you how many times I tried to pin the pastor ( of a small church ) down to meet with him and he doesnt have time???

    THATS YOUR JOB! If I dont do my job I get fired????

    It says if any of you is sick go before the Elders of the church have them pray over you and anoint you with oil and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. Now I have yet to see a pastor anoint you with oil, the pastor himself is going in for his V eye surgery there’s people who don’t even believe in God they’re getting their Vision fixed by eye surgeons. And he’s not relying on God to heal him. So basically I’m paying somebody to sit down and read a book that he doesn’t fully believe and give me his opinion of what it says? I’m not sold on this

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

wireless lav mic iphone

Featured Posts

List of AI Tools For Churches and Pastors

LATEST POSTS