If you believe the news, very few workers think they are paid enough for the work, they do. They think they put out the effort that is deserving of a higher wage and that their company is making millions off of them. One area where you won’t hear the workers complain is in the church. Pastors are by and large underpaid for their level of education and experience but do it joyfully. Still, the Apostle Paul tells us that a worker is worth his wages.
1 Corinthians 9:11,14
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should earn their living by the Gospel.”
Reaping What You Sow
Paul is letting the church in Corinth, a wealthy area but notoriously miserly church, that it is the role of the church to support the minister a living wage, and it is okay for the pastor to expect one. Now he can say this because he was a tentmaker and didn’t take a dime from them. He was supported by the poor Philippians and Macedonians but didn’t take anything from the Corinthians. He was sowing spiritual things like preaching the Gospel and ministering to the saints, so he was eligible to reap material benefits.
Due a Living Wage
There is a lot of debate about paying ministers who work at the church full time. Some churches refuse to do it, and others pay their pastors so little that they qualify for welfare. While a pastor shouldn’t get rich off of the church, they are due to a living wage for ministering to the Body of Christ. Now I know there are a lot of flamboyant pastors out there who spend a lot of money on their clothing. There is even a viral Instagram feed called Pastor’s Sneakers, which logs the tennis shoes pastors wear and how much they cost. Those examples are rare compared to the numerous pastors who live frugal lives.
A Worker is Worth His Wages
Your desire should be to bless your pastor prayerfully and financially. He works long hours to prepare messages and handle all of the needs of the church. Your faithful giving should go to support that work. When you give, it isn’t an investment in the church or person but an act of worship unto God. We trust Him to multiply it for the work of the kingdom. Remove the burden of worry from your pastor by being a part of the solution.