Should a Pastor, Pastor a Church for free

[Pastor Lorenzo Edwards]

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?

[John]

I grew up in LA before Crips & Bloods and knew some of those young Brothers because of my walk at that time. I knew Stanley "Tookey" Williams and Raymond Washington and a lot of them when they were teenagers. I use to talk to them but when they were making the money they were making they didn't hear me. I wasn't talking to them because I was saved then but because I had walked in those shoes and didn't want them to go down the road I did. You are correct, you have to talk to them and if they don't receive you then shake off the dust from your clothing. You can't be a broken record because then you become a pest in their minds. I can remember some saying "Oh here he comes" or you use to be out here how can you tell me something. They don't all get it Brother Trevor.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

I know what it is to walk in those shoes, for I was a Crip just as well. Now I can witness to all gang members.

[John]

See that's the thing that some of us have that others don't. We have been there and can relate to them and not bring the holier than thou mentality to them. I read your bio on your homepage before so I know a little about what you shared. Most are afraid to walk where they need to walk because they need to feel comfortable. Keep on keeping on my Brother.

[N'ZI Amani Germain]

Bothers and sisters,

Should a pastor that spends most of his time preaching and teaching get paid for what God has him to do?

NO, A PASTOR THAT SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING AND TEACHING SHOULD NOT GET PAID FOR WHAT GOD HAS HIM TO DO.

WHY?

“What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it”.

1 Corinthians 9:18

Indeed our Lord Jesus told His disciples:

“As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a]drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town”.

Matthew 10:7-15

NOW, let us reformulate the question above:

SHOULD A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST THAT SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING AND TEACHING SHOULD GET PAID FOR WHAT JESUS HAS HIM TO DO?

The answer is always no!

WHY?

Simply because freely he has received, freely he should give. Amen!

The reward of the true Pastor or the true servant of God comes from God Himself and not from money or a salary given by men ((2 Kings 5: 1-27; Micah 3: 1-12)

Of course, "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Luke 16:13

You cannot serve both God and Money. It is not possible!

Either you hate our Lord and love money. You will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and money.

If you get paid by men for whatever you do for our Lord, then you will receive no reward from God in Heaven. Amen!

Gospel Preaching is not a worldly business. It’s not a mean for jobless ones to get a wage. No!

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Acts 8:18-21

Brother Peter told Simon “May your money perish with you” because true Servants of God SHOULD NOT GET PAID FOR WHAT GOD HAS THEM TO DO. Amen!

Indeed, Disciples were told not to take along any gold or silver or copper in their belts. They should take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff for the worker is worth his keep.

The disciples were to give the Gospel freely. They were told not to take along any gold or silver or copper in their belts.

Someone may ask: without a salary or money how then should they live?

What does the phrase “the worker is worth his keep” means?

It means that a needy man of God should be assisted by the church. This support doesn’t symbolize a wage for what God has him to do.

For instance, the Bible states that women followed Jesus and supported His work by their own means.

Luke 8:1-3

Moreover, this assistance is not necessarily money given to the man of God.

Indeed, our Lord Jesus said:

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.”

Luke 10:3-9

Jesus said “Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages”.
Here, “the wages” of the preachers symbolizes eating, drinking whatever people give them.

Let us underline the phrase “whatever they give you”.

This phrase means that peachers or pastors do not extort properties of people, for example asking for a great salary, a smart car, an expensive house, rather, they must be content with what men offer them, maybe a food, some water or something else they really need.

Yes, true preachers of the living God should not be greedy, rather they must be simple and sober.

This is the reason why Jesus asked His Disciples not to “move around from house to house”, but when they enter a town and are welcomed they should just eat what is set before them. Amen!

Indeed, Brother Paul said:

“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles”.

Philippians 4:10-14

Today, in the whole world, how many pastors, how many servant of God behave or speak like Brother Paul?

He said: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”.

HOW MANY?

Nowadays, we see false Pastors and false Prophets every where running after social welfare and even luxury, big cars, beautiful houses, beautiful women, gold, popularity and so on…

Please, tell me how many pastors, how many servants behave or speak like Brother Paul?

Many of them endeavour to serve both God and money. However, this is not possible!

A NEEDY PASTOR THAT SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING AND TEACHING SHOULD NOT GET PAID FOR WHAT GOD HAS HIM TO DO BUT THE CHURCH MUST SUPPORT HIM.

Indeed, the believers have the obligation to assist their instructors.

“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor”.

Galatians 6:6

Yes, Pastors have the right to have a support or a material harvest from the believers. This support is not necessarily money, a monthly or an annual salary (much dollars). It may be some food, some water, some clothes or something else that the Pastors really need.

Indeed, Brother Paul said:

“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more?
But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it”.

1 Corinthians 9: 11-18

Yes, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. Brother Paul was aware of his right to receive support from the believers; however he did not use this right.

Indeed, he said:

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

Acts 20:32-35

It’s true, Brother Paul’s hands have supplied his own needs and the needs of his companions; he was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3).

BROTHER PAUL SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING AND TEACHING, HOWEVER HE DID NOT GET PAID FOR WHAT GOD HAD HIM TO DO. HIS HANDS HAVE SUPPLIED HIS OWN NEEDS AND THE NEEDS OF HIS COMPANIONS.

INDEED, HE WAS A TENTMAKER.

Brother Paul told Thessalonians:

“You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness”.

1 Thessalonians 2:5

Moreover, Brother Paul told Corinthians:

“Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so”.

2 Corinthians 11:7-9

Brother Paul told Thessalonians:

“Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right”.
Thessalonians 3:12-13

Today, in the whole world, how many pastors, how many servants behave or speak like Brother Paul?

In conclusion, A PASTOR THAT SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING AND TEACHING SHOULD NOT GET PAID FOR WHAT JESUS HAS HIM TO DO.

However, this Pastor has the right to have a support or a material harvest from the believers. This support is not necessarily money, a monthly or an annual salary (much dollars). It may be some food, some water, some clothes, a housing or something else that the Pastor really needs.

However, all the Pastors must acknowledge and follow the example set by Brother Paul:

BROTHER PAUL SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING AND TEACHING, HOWEVER HE DID NOT GET PAID FOR WHAT GOD HAD HIM TO DO. HIS HANDS HAVE SUPPLIED HIS OWN NEEDS AND THE NEEDS OF HIS COMPANIONS.

INDEED, HE WAS A TENTMAKER.

He said:

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”

1 Corinthians 11:1

Blessings,

Bro. Germain

www.tagworld.com/srobouay
www.myspace.com/wawesan

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Favor always out does money any day. However, the FATHER will utilize BOTH means to supply for HIS servants. You only quoted one verse out 1st Corinthians 9. Why not quote the rest, for it reveals the true nature of Paul's statement:

1Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7Who 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?
8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9For 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?
10Or 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.
11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12If 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.
13Do 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?
14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Apostle Paul CLEARLY stated (in layman's terms) that he had not only the privilege, but the RIGHT as an Apostle in the LORD's church to eat and literally make a living off of the Gospel, but HE CHOSE NOT TO as is his right. The Mayor of NYC can get paid a 6 figure income, but he refused to do take it. Instead he literally gets paid $1 a year because it's illegal for him to work the job for free. He's a billionaire, and he CHOOSES not to make money from the job, BUT HE HAS THAT RIGHT. Likewise Apostle Paul expressed the same right to turn away what was actually due him according to his governmental office as an Apostle (yes the office of Apostle is not just spiritual, but literally governmental).

[John]

I'm going to leave this alone for a minute Brother Trevor. Maybe I need to read this some more though I've read it a lot of times. You know I'm bitting my lip dont' you? LOL

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

LOL! Do you my brotha! All I'm saying is Paul is clear cut in this entire chapter, regardless of the verse you use.

[John]

OK Brother Trevor, are the verses you have underlined suppose to show me something about money? IF so I don't see that what so ever. But before I provide the understanding I get from those verses let me know if this is what you are trying to relay to me. Thanks.

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Yes, they are CLEAR cut about money and other provisions for the ministers of the Gospel. What else can that be? Please explain your stand point.....

[Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene]

Moreh, we are going in circles here: round and round, and round......

[John]

This is my take on your underlined verses Brother Trevor.

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
This is only saying they have the right to refrain from working!

7 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?
You can't get money out of this verse! He is talking food and shelter.

8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
You have to explain money out of this to me, please!

9 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?
The question is saying "Is it oxen God is concerned about? Otherwords if one comes to minsiter take care they eat and sleep. No money I get here.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Here it's sarcatically spoken that if we preach you spiritual things should we take of your material things. So he's saying just because I give you God's Word I shouldn't be taking your things.

13 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?
This is speaking of food, oil and things given for the different offerings.

14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Look at Romans 10:15, this means they should live according to the gospel they preach in bringing glad tidings of good things.

Brother Trevor since you see it another way please let me have your take on these verses please. Thanks in advance.

[Pastor Trevor Ducreay]

Thank you for your continued engagement on this issue (all in the interest of learning from each other and not to score debating points I trust).
However a straw man is getting beaten here because you might have noticed that at no point have I used the word "money."
Paul's words are clear and his intent is clear:

Those who preach the Gospel full time should, at the least, have the option of not having to be employed fulltime in the marketplace. No honest examination or interpretation can deny this.at the very least.
Thank you my brother.