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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No, a pastor should not pastor a church for free. At the minimum, love offerings should be given to him.
I know I'm VERY late on this, but I'm glad you made this comment. I find that people get so caught up in the very FEW pastors (in comparison) who may be taking advantage of the people, living and making money well beyond the church's means, etc. that they forget the majority of pastors in this country (and even the world) are in situations exactly what you've described. Putting in a lot and getting back very little...whether its because of the stinginess of the people or an uncontrollable financial situation. It's good when people are reminded that all pastors are not crooks.
I PASTOR A SMALL CHURCH IN ELIZABETH NEW JERSEY, WERE MY WIFE AND I ARE THE FOUNDERS OF THE CHURCH BUT THE CHURCH IS NOT ABLE TO PAY ME A SALARY AND MANY OF THE SAINTS ARE ON A FIXED INCOME SO I HAVE A SECULAR JOB. I DO NOT KNOW OF A SCRIPTURE IN THE HOLY WRIT THAT IS AGAINST THE MAN OF GOD OR WOMAN OF GOD BEING ON A SALARY.
God bless you Pastor Edwards. There may be only two widows in the church. So you have to take care of them according to the word. When we do God business, he'll take care of you. God is the one that is going to pay us for our service/deeds. Read Matt. 6:33. Be bless of the Lord. He loves you dearly. He will return.
Numbers 18:21, 23-26 (King James Version) 21. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. 24. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 25. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 26. Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

Comment: It is against the ordinance of Elohim for a pastor, who is apart of the levitical priesthood, to work in the temple for free. according to the word, this statute shall be for ever throughout ALL generations. Therefore, if we are Abraham's seed this passage of scripture is inclusive to this present day KINGDOM church. God Bless...
If you go to AskaRabbi.com they will disagree with you. You are taking God's word completely out of context to justify a falsehood of greed. This is only meant for the tribe of Levi not for all tribes. This is a blatant attempt to twist God's word to fit an agenda that is totally unfounded. Another point is That tithes were never even referred to as money but crops and livestock and such but even that has been twisted to say money (though no one can provide scripture to prove that Elohim said that tithes was to become money for the new testament church.

Can you provide such proof? Please be certain that we are not Levites and therefore should not be taking tithes. Ministers know this but refuse to accept it because this would end their fleecing of the flock.
Greetings Beloved,

Thanks for your reply, however, to debate Gods word is also against the will of God.
It most certainly is. I am not debating just pointing out that it is wrong to mislead God's sheep. If you look at the scripture, God hates those that hurt, injure, mislead or misguides his sheep. Since the scripture says that we are to admonish one another daily. This is my daily admonishment.
Correction: My daily exhortation although it means the same thing as admonishment.

Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day;
OUR SALAVATION WAS GIVEN TO US FOR FREE BECAUSE SOMEBODY PAID THE PRICE WE COULDN'T PAY AND SHED HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS , AND DIED IN MY PLACE AND YOUR PLACE.HE ALSO CALLED US INTO THE MINISTRY AND SAID TO US "FREELY YOU HAVE BE GIVEN AND FREELY WILL YOU GIVE IT.". I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION HERE , "IS PASTORING A PROFESSION OR A CALLING"?THOSE WHO SEE IT AS A PROFESSION WILL ASK YOU , "HOW MUCH WILL YOU PAY ME"?BUT ONE CALLED OF GOD WILL DO THE WORK AND TRUST GOD FOR HIMSELF.
Triple Amen to that Bishop.
My preaching is free for all to use and apply.


CONSERVATIVE POET
TOM ZART'S 26 POEMS OF
CHRISTIAN FAITH


THE KING OF CHRISTMAS


The son of God came down to earth
To be our Lord by divine birth.
Born to a virgin in a stable He lie
Destine to lead, teach, suffer and die.

Satan transformed from laughter to rage
When Christ arrived to destroy man’s cage.
A never ending chance to redeem our soul
A new opportunity to achieve God’s goal.

Evil doers hate the birth of God’s child
They love what is immoral, wicked and wild.
Degrading Christmas wherever they can
Jealous of the joy and rapture of man.

Hallelujah Jesus the king of Christmas night
With a star for his crown bathed in holy light
Christ is our savior who leads by trust and love
Delivering us from Satan to the grace of God Above.


RUNNING FROM GOD


All of us at sometime have run from God
When He has asked us to do something we chose not to do
Though we are free to select who we follow
A life without faith is impossible to renew

Anytime at anywhere dilemmas may occur
Which we must overcome, endure and solve.
The falsehoods of hell consumes man’s soul
Challenging our devotion and resolve.

Jonah ran from God and took flight on a ship
To be thrown over and swallowed by a whale.
After three days he was cast up unharmed and alive
To preach at Nineveh which was doomed to fail.

Samson ran from God to the arms of Delilah
Who gave him pleasures beyond compare.
Soon she betrayed him and removed his hair
Exposing him to capture, imprisonment and despair.

Christians trust you can run but not hide
From the eyes of Jehovah who is always aware
Loving us regardless of weakness toward sin
And when we cry out, “He’s there.”


THE HORNETS of HELL


The hornets of hell swarm from their nest
Overwhelming all the victims they can.
To sting as many souls as possible
In their destruction of the glory of man.

They murder, rob, rape and plunder
While provoking the meek to submit.
They lie, deceive and mislead
And depend on the world to forget.

Eager to enhance their numbers
They are the cheerleaders of disgrace.
Their agendas of sin must be stopped
For the betterment of each race.

Endless is God’s test of time
To measure man’s spiritual worth
Unwholesome deeds tempt us all
Festering in the repugnance of earth.

The hornets of hell are on the hunt
In all directions by day or night.
The Armor of God shields man’s soul
And gives us our resolve to fight.

The champions of heaven in rapture await
To see who will stumble and fall.
They watch us struggle, in our world of woe
As they pray we will heed, God’s call.

Fools declare we must hide from view
And leave the hornets of hell alone
But when we ignore the liabilities of life
The failings of man become, our own.


MY FAVORITE POET


My favorite poet is God above
Who gives Earth its rhythm and rhyme.
Not pied pipers of misguided souls
Who promote distrust, hatred and crime.

Poetry is nature serenading in song
The peaceful roar of the oceans waves.
The wind through the trees and over the hills
And the flowers in the fields by the graves.

The sound of rain as it waters the thirsty
The songs of children at play in the park.
The far off rumble of trains or thunder
As they pass through the night in the dark.

The joy of our babies first words and steps
The passion of life with its heroes and clowns.
The on going struggle to survive our sins
As we proliferate in hamlets and towns.

My favorite poet is our Father of love
Who was first to know us before birth.
His poetry prolongs every thing we love
As His deliverance gives life its worth.


HEAVEN’S HEROES


Winning souls tend to change everything
Including who and what we are.
When our darkness within transforms to light
And our eyes have the luster of a star.

We must always pray for the lost among us
Who eagerly race toward the wrong direction.
So they may know their own repentance
Blessed by God’s, grace, love and protection.

All of heaven’s heroes have suffered remorse
From hate, fear, lust, loneliness and war.
They do what they do with deliverance of heart
Defeating the dark side of life and more.

Noah found safety within the beams of his ark
To endure heaven’s cleansing of earth.
Moses the deliverer, climbed a mountain
Descending with God’s guidelines of worth.

David the shepherd, a boy among men
Slew evil’s giant with a flying stone.
Samson the strong man, broke from his chains
Toppling the temple with God’s help alone.

Jonah was swallowed by a monster fish
To be cast up on shore with a prophecy to tell.
Jesus of Nazareth was nailed to the cross
And without his forgiveness we’re doomed to fail.

Lord I’ll feel blessed to greet all your heroes
When it is my time to escape my woes.
I’ll clutch their hands and kiss their face
As we celebrate the journey we chose.


HEAVEN’S GATE


Lord I’m coming, Lord I’m running
Skipping steps all the way to your gate.
I know I have faltered, thanks to faith I’ve altered
Escaping my bondage of hate.

For too long I was selfish, reckless and cruel
Refusing to regret my actions as a fool.
An arrow from heaven found its way to my soul
Since then till now giving love as my goal.

Blessed by my children and the treasures of life
Blessed by income, hard work and a wife.
Led by your wisdom to combat what is wrong
Blessed by your grace, worship and song.

Age is upon me but I’m not afraid to die
All that I stand for will be viewed by and by.
I don’t expect a mansion or wings to help me fly
Only to serve you and yours in the sky.

With one foot in heaven and one down on earth
I pray to be remembered and judged by my worth.
If I’m forced to camp, just outside your gate
I will still be grateful and not, “hesitate.”


POETS ARE THE BELL RINGERS OF THE SOUL


Most poets tell the truth of life
Though they may wrap it in beauty.
It's their passion, not their purpose
To compose is but their duty.

Poets as a rule are high on adventure
Like wondering bards or prophets today.
Embracing hearts and minds with wisdom
Casting through verse their visions at play.

Poets have their dreams and their nightmares
Of love, life, death, faith, and war.
They feel the pain and tragedy of others
Even those they've never met before.

One merit of a poet's work
Which most people cannot deny
They say more and in fewer words
To illuminate you and I.

Their poems are used to convey passion
By composers of both good and evil mood.
Some are hateful others loving
Sharing thoughts to be consumed as food.

They fan the flames of human compassion
With their stories of the failings of man.
Professing to follow a higher power
As they recruit whomever they can.

The wild birds sing and flowers bloom
As clouds form figures in the sky
But only poets will write poems
That shall last long after they die.

God has always had his poets
Who he watches with love from space.
But Satan has his poets too
Who try to lead us from our grace.

Poets are the bell ringers of the soul
As they depict the past, the present and beyond.
They sound their alarm of what lies ahead
As the missteps of man live on.


JESUS IS A FISHERMAN


Jesus is a fisherman
Who saves the souls of man.
Dead or alive he leads the faithful
To the streams of promise land.

He sees us when we’re happy
He hears us when we’re glad.
He whispers words of hope to us
When we face something sad.

As wicked thoughts control the mind
Evil deeds control the heart.
Jesus is who we turn to
When from sins we must depart.

Jesus is a fisherman
Who baits his hook with love.
Casting his line in your direction
From the banks of heaven above.


THE DISTORTION OF MAN


We’re sought by Satan of that I’m sure
As he plots to derail our soul.
Greed, hate, lust, anger and fear
Are deeds which facilitate his coal.

He smiles at lies, cheating and theft
He laughs at never-ending war.
He drools to conquer the hearts of man
Shadowing every window and door.

Tempting all with unclean pleasures
His success is weakness and desire.
We triumph only through the power of faith
Avoiding eternal torment and fire.

Goodness and evil illustrate life
Like the two sides of every coin.
Most can’t help but experience both
As we learn who to trust, follow and join.

Praise our Lord for morals and ethics
The laws of heavenly command.
Without God’s armor and his grace
We become the distortion of man.


THE RIVER OF NO RETURN


Beware of the streams of evil
Feeding the river of no return.
Where whatever gives us pleasure
Is our only worry and concern.

True happiness results from blessings
Handed down from heaven to earth.
God seems to smile on people in love
Who have chosen to share their worth.

Three types of humans occupy earth
The bad, the not so bad and the horrible.
Somewhere in-between, most us are
And our babies are most adorable.

Far to many become disappointing
Mimicking adults as they stretch and grow.
Lost somewhere in self indulgence
In a world they have yet to know.

Thanks to faith and spiritual teachings
Multitudes follow the path of grace.
The righteous are the hope of man
As we journey the dangers of space.

Reject what is selfish, cruel and unkind
Steer clear of evil deeds without fear.
Listen to the voice of God in man
And you’ll remain more civilized and clear.


THE FIRST ONE TO LOVE ME


The first one to love me was you; Lord
And nothing can take that away.
My soul is refreshed by living water
While my heart flows with love each day.

I thank you for the love of my family
And I thank you for the love of my life.
I thank you for all of the blessings
You give to each husband and wife.

Your glory rides high on the sunsets
Your voice is the thunder of rain.
I thank you for all of the heavens
And Jesus who came to be slain.

I feel when your eyes are upon me
As you listen to my humble cry,
You've redeemed the soul of your servant
To dwell in your mansion on high.

I'll claim each and every promise
From the Lord of the earth and sky.
I'm so glad I'm free from my bondage
Of the grave where my body shall lie.

I thank you for parting the darkness
And guiding my footsteps each day.
I thank you for being my shepherd
You've walked with me all the way.

I know your armor protects me
From the devil in search of his feast.
And all who are lost without you
Shall dwell in hell with the beast!


DAVID AND GOLIATH


David, the shepherd, a tender of sheep
Would pray to his God before he would sleep.
One day he awoke to the roar of beasts
A bear and a lion in search of a feast.

David slew both with his knife and his hand
Though still just a boy and not yet a man.
The Lord's love for David was proven once again
When he challenged the champion of the Philistine men.

Goliath's beastly fingers and hideous toes
Made David more selective with the stones that he chose.
One for the giant, he knew he would slay
Four more for his brothers who were laughing that day.

The giant told David, "I'll tear you apart;
The birds and the animals shall feast on your heart."
David yelled back, "I'll soon see you dead
And when I'm through I'll cut off your head!"

The worst of all men, drew high with his arm
Came forth to David to do him great harm.
The youth jumped ahead just as quick as a lynx
A stone from his sling popped the giant where he thinks.

Blood and bone spewed forth as that devil fell down;
A thousand pound soldier lie dead on the ground.
With Goliath's own sword, David chopped off his head
Then took it to Jerusalem, to prove that he was dead.


JESUS


There once was a traveler who was driven out of town
On his shoulders was a burden that pushed him to the ground.
On his head was a crown made of thorns from a bush
And the street was so crowded the guards had to push.

They stopped at some sandstone at the top of a hill
There was a round hole the cross would soon fill.
They made him lie down upon that wood cross
There they nailed him to prove who was boss.

The beam was up-ended by the muscles of men
As it plunged down the hole it was carved to fit in.
Then Jesus looked up at the lightning that flew
And cried, "God, My Father, they know not what they do."

They crucified our Lord as his blood flowed to earth
If inside you believe, you feel what love is worth.
They wrapped him in loincloth when he was taken down
Then carefully removed his scarlet stained crown.

They placed him in a cave with a large, round, stone door
Before sealing forever, they lay lilies on the floor.
Though it wasn't very long, and the stone was rolled away
For Jesus resurrected, to rise on Easter Day!


DARTS OF THE DEVIL


The darts of the devil fly free on the winds
And sometimes they pierce both family and friends.
Remember young Adam and his wife, Eve?
When they gave into Satan, the Lord said, "leave".

Ever since then, right up to today
The devil makes sure we'll sin in some way.
Wear all of God's armor, whatever you do;
Should the darts of the devil seek out you.

Thank God for Jesus who died on the cross.
Our passage to heaven was paid by his loss.
Every knee shall bow and tongues confess all
That Jesus is our Lord at his final call.

Angels will descend with Jesus in the sky
He'll greet us with open arms when it's our time to fly.
For our Lord awaits all who believe
And those who do not, shall be told to leave.


NIGHT OF NIGHTS


In the tiny town of Bethlehem
Born in a stable, an infant lie.
While he slept his first dreamless night
A whole universe of stars passed by.

When Jesus Christ our savior was born
Most of the angels began to sing
Of peace, and good will to all mankind
And hallelujah to earth's new king.

There were those angels, who did not sing
For they had passed through the devil's gate.
They knew this young lad belonged to God
And for them salvation was too late.

So let's rejoice, and sing with great cheer
That night when Jesus slept without fear.
For our Lord's birthday comes once a year
On that night of nights we hold so dear.


GRACE


The Son of God came to save that which was lost
To redeem our soul from the power of the grave.
Where the prisoners of death must rest together
Except for the spirits of the kind and brave.

The preaching of the cross is ignored by fools
And sinners who are unable to conform.
By grace we are saved as a gift from our Lord
Who wipes tears from the faces that mourn.

By learning, loving, working, teaching, and prayer
We submit our years as a tale to be told.
The survival of life is our pilgrimage
As we tackle each challenge both young and old.

No one can be sure of how long they will last
Though all have a choice of whom they choose to be.
Warmongers, adulterers, thieves or saints
Everyone must some day bow down before thee.

From dust we were made and shall return
After life has brought us to our earthly end.
Though all must walk in the shadow of death
The righteous are promised they will rise again.


NOAH'S ARK


God saw that wickedness had fouled his earth
To a state it could no longer be ignored.
While grieving sadly he chose to destroy it
Though Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The Lord told Noah to fashion a great ark
Made of gopher wood and pitch, outside and in.
Three hundred cubits long and fifty in width
Before the world he knew, would come to its end.

Bring your food, your sons, your wife and your son's wives
And two of every living sort, be with thee.
For with you I'll establish my covenant
And all who are with thee shall survive the sea.

They all marched forth, two by two, into the ark
And waited for God's waters to flood the land.
For forty days and for forty nights
The fountains of the deep consumed beast and man.


Inside the ark nostrils kept their breath of life
As the high waters prevailed upon the earth.
Every mountain and every hilltop vanished
As all within felt the power of God's worth.

The waters from heaven were finally restrained
And after ten months the tops of mountains were seen.
God had blessed Noah and all who had joined him
To multiply, plant and fulfill his dream.


WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE


The wise listen to increase their learning
Where the scorners of wisdom close their mind.
The hearts of the prudent gather knowledge
For a soul without grace becomes confined.

Our knowledge can help us fulfill our dreams
Though most of the time with wisdom comes grief.
For knowledge removes our veil of ignorance
Exposing within the liar or thief.

A wise mind is a fountain of life;
To teach others it's knowledge before death.
Wisdom is too hard for fools to retain
Who curse their fellows with spiteful breath.

Fill yourself with love and understanding
For wisdom makes the human face shine.
Knowledge is stronger than weapons of war
While on ignorance, fools continue to dine.

The words of the wise are heard in quiet
More than the loud shouts of screaming fools.
Wisdom and knowledge cause stability
In the lives of those who use them as tools.

We should shun with wisdom what is evil
And glorify with knowledge what is good.
Better is the gift of learning than gold
For by virtue we become what we should.


MIRACLES


Miracles are the extraordinary acts of God
If you don't believe it, why pray?
Some say, they're just happenings brought about by luck
Thus, superstition has led the rest of us, astray.

Woe to what the misinformed might think
Who claim their excellence is their own.
A wise man knows his gifts are from heaven
And by repentance, his gratitude is shown.

I believe in miracles for I'm alive and well
I'm loved by God, family, and a few good friends.
I've lived long enough to see miracles transpire
As one must end, another descends.


WHO?


Who wrote the tune the songbird sings?
Who made the diamonds we wear on rings?

Who caused the snow and rain to fall?
Who made spring, winter, summer and fall?

Who gave man a woman to love?
Who made the clouds and sky above?

Who lights the stars and moon in the night?
Who makes heaven and beyond so bright?

Who gives us babies we follow till death?
Who made us able to speak with our breath?

Who gives us heroes willing to die?
Who made the tears we shed as we cry?

Who shows us hope and guides our way?
The same one who loves us night and day.


THE ARMOR OF GOD


Put on the whole armor of God
And soldiers we shall be.
Fighting the powers of darkness
Who thirst for the souls of the free.

Through lust, they try to enslave us
And silence God's voice in man.
With focus of faith we shun them
Avoiding the grasp of their hand.

Satan whispers his sadistic thoughts
In every language and every ear.
Tempting all with the sins of hell
Victims of misery, hopelessness and fear.

Eagerly plotting to disrupt God's works
Evil swallows up souls like the shifting sand.
The armor of God is our divine protection
Shielding every child, woman, and man.


THE MYSTERY OF PRAYER


Never be afraid to pray boldly to God
For no matter the crisis our Lord is aware.
Sometimes it's hard to recognize God's answers
But that's just part of the mystery of prayer.

Some of the greatest heroes in history
Wore holes in the knees of their pants.
For without God's grace and human prayer
Man's survival on earth is by chance.

Surrender your soul and make time for prayer
Sharing moments with your Savior alone
He'll shoulder your burden and give you rest
As the seeds of his praise are sown.


JESUS IS MY MASTER


Jesus is my master
I'm not afraid to admit.
All I had to do
Was be willing and submit.

He loves me when I'm bad
He loves me when I'm good.
He loves me even more
When I behave as I should.

He knows that I'm not perfect
He knows I'm guilty of sin.
He leadeth me to righteousness
And allows me to rise again.


FAITH


So perfect is nature, though not by man
It's the brush of our master that paints the land.
The sun comes up and sun goes down
As in every direction God's wonders are found.

The tide comes in and the tide goes out
Our faith in eternalness is what life is about.
Contentment depends on which path we walk
By daylight or darkness; our faith is our rock.

Our confidence and trust in a higher power
Helps guide us through every moment and hour.
Fidelity to ones promise and observance of law
Lets our Lord know we heed his call.


DIVINE INTERVENTION


I never write a poem
That doesn't write itself.
I catch a buzz and come alive
Like a puppet off it's shelf.

Hearing many voices
Whose words are never mine.
My pen becomes a painter's brush
Forming visions on a line.

I seem to be a better person
When it's time to sit down and write.
A higher power guides my hand
Sharing wisdom by day and night.

People born to create
Have no choice but to perform.
It's the rush of sharing their gift
That elevates them from the norm.

What would our world become
Without intervention from above?
Angry beings in a revolving cage
With no sense of passion or love.


LUCIFER LOVES TO BAIT HIS HOOK


Jesus is our savior who whips the Devil's hide
After death heaven awaits for all with him who ride.
Disobedience by believers was forgiven by his loss
The future of man was changed by his death on the cross.

We're free to believe whatever till its time to say farewell
All who turn their back to Christ shall suffer the blaze of hell.
Lucifer loves to bait his hook and fish the pond of man
Once he has you in his net you're the victim of his hand.

Some say not to worry for man was once an ape
It's okay to hate, plunder, murder, lie and rape.
I choose to follow the Bible and observe God's laws
Praying for the mislaid in the clutch of Satan's claws.


JONAH


God's words to Jonah were to preach at Nineveh
A great city from which armies against Israel often came.
Instead he went to Joppa a city by the sea
Where he paid his passage and sailed without shame.

The ship had not gone far before a tremendous storm arose
And the crew became frightened and began to pray.
They threw the cargo overboard to help stay afloat
As they pondered who among them should be cast away?

They chose to draw lots to expose God's offender.
And the lot fell upon Jonah who ran from his call
The sailors tried their best to bring the ship to shore
When they failed they pitched Jonah to suffer God's law.

Jonah's body hardly touched the waters of the deep
When up came a huge fish, and swallowed him whole.
From within it's belly he had time to think of his sins
Make peace with God, and purify his soul.

After three days, the fish swam close to shore
Casting up Jonah on dry land unharmed.
Again Jonah heard God's voice from his heart
Saying save Nineveh from Lucifer's charm.

Soon after he preached, that Nineveh along with its people
God would destroy unless they turned from their wicked ways.
To his surprise, they listened and repented their sins
And were told by their king to pray for God's praise.


By
Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

You can hear all of Tom Zart’s 336 poems
of love, war, faith and more 24-7 on web radio at

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