Should a pastor that spends most of his time preaching and teaching get paid for what God has him to do? I know what the scriptures says about this, but would you pastor for free?

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The word of God says that the labourer is worthy of his/her hire. I believe that where God has sent or placed you He will have someone there to meet your needs.
NO.NO. I did that as a young minister.I was Bi-Vocational and took no Salary for over 14 years. What I thought was for the Gospel's sake was interpreted that I didn't think I was WORTH any pay.Thus my spiritual purpose was defeated by those very carnal Christians that didn't have the spiritual insight see I was doing what Paul said so the gospel wouldn't be hindered. But in the same text I had a right to demand support. So don't pastor for free. Your people miss a blessing if you doI
As far as pastoring for free, I see in scripture that you should not muzzle the ox, and that the workman is worthy of his hire. That doesn't mean, however, that the pastor is OBLIGATED to take pay. As someone mentioned earlier, I believe also that it is a good idea for the pastor to consider the ability of the congregation (in terms of salary amounts). The pastor can also do as Paul and have a personal business for financial supports so that he/she is not compelled to be limited, pressured, or tempted by the money of others. A large amount that I see today have their own businesses.

Now, regarding the tithe: it is true that Abraham tithed before it was ever instituted by the law. We must consider though, that when he tithed the spoils of war, he was doing it COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY (because he wanted to, not because God told him that he and everyone else had to). It became a Levitical law later, but then the law was done away with, so if we are restored to Abraham's example, then it is a matter of faith, but not force, just as it was for Abraham.

The promises remain, however, that if you trust God He shall open up a window in Heaven and pour you out a blessing and rebuke the devour for your sake: For, the law was done away with, but the promises were not. Yet, just because you don't have to do it doesn't mean that you shouldn't. The food laws about not eating scavengers were done away with, but they are still beneficial to you for your health. So, it is a good idea, with promises of blessings, but curses came from law and scripture says that Yeshua became a curse so that we would not be cursed because cursed is he who hangs on a tree, so you would not be cursed for NOT doing it... You may forfeit the promised additional blessing for it though.
The Word of God clearly tells us that a false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. Like some have said, a good part of the answer lies within whether a church can actually afford to pay their pastor at all, and the rest of the answer lies in the example set by Christ, who gave His life.

Tithing is a good thing, but this is often misunderstood, and we must as a body begin to develop better answers to the financial needs of the leader than simply to make the congregation pay for it. The Biblical tithe had multiple purposes, and in fact, during one year in the cycle, the Israelites were commanded to spend it on themselves.

Churches would be well advised to use their resources in ways that are conducive to multiplication. The American church controls $.3.89 Trillion in assets, yet very little, if any of this is used for providing for ministry through the marketplace. The main reason for this is that most of this wealth is controlled by a select few who seem to only be interesting in hoarding more wealth.

There is a better way...
Amen...there is a better way.
Amen to that last paragraph.
Since you know what the scriptures say i will give my thoughts. Yes i feel that you should get paid due to the simple fact that you are doing gods work and any work that you do like a tax collector or an auto machanic you should get paid for your labor time and services. Don't get me wrong, there are people that god has told to do things for free but if this is the case then you should go on his word and his direction. Even better it is always nice to get our advice on subjects but it is better to get Gods and always do what you feel is right for everyone. Let him be your Guide.... Hope this helps
"Jesus said, whatever is right, I'll pay, so therefore, why should Pastors get paid, are the members working in the ministry of videography, program coordinators, praise & worship leaders, preachers etc getting paid? One thing we should keep in mind that if the real spirit of a Pastor's pure motive is to setup a ministry of formality when the hidden motive is to operate a business, then yes, they expect to get paid because it's their business and not a true ministry. I agree with you Apostle, it is what it is, hoarding more wealth because knowing that Jesus paid it all, then why should the church pay Pastors, Jesus died for the church and now they want to standup and sell Jesus. Judas tried that and what happened to him, Jesus gave him enough rope to hang himself.
A listing of verses is not a rational argument. Especially if taken out of context and the sitz en lieben in which the words were generated.
I believe that one must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit because He alone knows what one is made of. Sometimes Pastoring for free isn't exactly free at all. Once the life given time is spent one must have an assurance that this is the will of God concerning them or after a while if they are not able to maintain the lifestyle that they had prior to pastoring bitterness could set in. However, if the pastor is able to be self sufficient then the finances and bitterness may never come up. One must be mature enough to handle the humps of pastoring and all that goes with. Since we know the scripture then it comes down to nothing more than the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Yes. If in reality they can support themselves. The reality of this world is that clothes, food, gas, vehicles and so on cost money so in one way or another they have to be supported. It started with Arron and the Levities, Then the grain and meat that was not burned to a crisp was eaten by the priest. Now it takes money.
No person should enter service to God, ministry, to be compensated that is an affront to God and a gross misunderstanding of the mission.
The Jesus pimps on television who are living lavish lifestyles on the monies they collect I believe will have to answer to God for the deceit that is practiced in the name of God. "...dealing in debt, and stealing in the name of Lord..." sang the Temptations.
If a congregation chooses to support a preacher and his family so he/she can devote themselves fully to ministry then so be it, but the preacher should be the servant to the people of God and not be served by them.
(Act 20:33) I have coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel.
(Act 20:34) Yea, you yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my needs, and to those who were with me.
(Luk 9:3) And He said to them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staffs, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money, nor each to have two tunics.

Here we have Paul who worked and took care of not only his needs but those who traveled with him. On the other hand Jesus sends out his disciples and tells them to take nothing with them, clearly showing us that their needs were to be met by those they were to encounter. From my studies I feel that it is really upon the pastor and congregation to seek direction from the Holy Spirit as to what should be the appropriate approach for their ministry. Clearly the pastor should not be mistreated when the congragation is well established and can afford to support them. Nor should the Pastor be running around town in a Benz when most of the congregants are on fixed income or working low income jobs. In today's environment with the church under a microscope there is probably a need for more to be doing such as Paul did. Remember Christ himself during his years of ministry had no address (Mat 8:19) And a certain scribe came and said to him, Master, I will follow You wherever You go.(Mat 8:20) And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.

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