When you go to work at most jobs, the expectation is that you are going to receive payment for you effort, right? If you have someone come over and cut your lawn, or shovel your driveway, don’t you think that they deserve some kind of compensation for their time and work? They provided a service and really they have earned the right to receive something back in return. It may not always be money, but something that is worth something to them.
But why is it that some people seem to think that someone such as a preacher do not require or deserve some kind of compensation or gift for their service of the Lord? Why is it that some people think that a pastor should have to go out and do extra work somewhere if they want money to live on? Isn’t their time just the same as someone who cuts a lawn, or bags your groceries? I would say that their time is far more valuable in fact, because the service that they provide is something that will benefit an individual after they die.
This is what Paul was explaining in his letter to the Corinthians, that if he preached the gospel to them, was it such a difficult thing for them to support him with the things that he required?
1 Corinthians 9:7-14 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
We see how Paul used the example of something as simple as an ox, how if they spent their days plowing a field and harvesting the crops, wouldn’t they have fed that creature as a payment or reward? Or a worker showing a field with seeds, wouldn’t they post them for their work? How much more then shouldn’t Paul have received some kind of compensation for his time? He was certainly deserving of some kind of reward for his work, but Paul didn’t demand this of anyone, as he made clear in other parts of the Bible. He could take care of himself, if need be, and wouldn’t make himself a burden to others, if they felt that supporting him was a grevious task.
But think of it as this: who is more deserving to be rewarded or compensated, someone who paints your house which will eventually get old and decrepit and torn down anyway, or someone who preached the gospel to you which will last you an eternity in Heaven? There really should be no debate, the Kingdom of Heaven is a priceless destination that is worth everything that you have, so help take care of those who help you to grow in your faith. They are certainly deserving of it.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 