Chapter Thirteen: Paying the Pastor: The Pastor and His Paycheck

By Dr. Steve Davis

What you will get from this chapter:

1) Principles for paying the Pastor.

2) A well paid Pastor is more likely to be an effective Pastor.

3) A well paid Pastor will not likely be a bitter or negative preacher.

4) Some guidelines for establishing the Pastor’s salary

Paying the Pastor. In many circles, it’s common to pay a Pastor as little as possible for his labors for the Lord. The church expects him to be available for prayer and counsel day and night, seven days a week, as well as to produce two or more messages that are on the same level with those professionally written messages they hear by national ministries on TV. And they want him to do this on a pittance, holding his hat in his hands and begging when he has to meekly  confess that he can’t support his family on the little bit that the church provides.

What does God say about paying the Pastor? 1 Timothy 5:17- 20 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear." 

First off, that a Pastor (or other Elder) who is doing a good job needs to be paid well! Honor is talking about paying him money! That is where we get the term, “honorarium,” referring to financial remuneration.  This is true for ALL Elders, and is ESPECIALLY true for those who labor in bringing the Word and teaching doctrine! That is the Pastor! God says, “Pay them twice what you’re paying them now!” Why would He have to say that? Because people don’t change.

A Pastor is not “doing a job.” He is responding to a call from God, one that he MUST obey. He would gladly do it for free, if he possible could. He preaches willingly, not for “filthy lucre.” It is the one thing in life that makes him feel alive. So many times, churches take advantage of the Pastor’s love of the things of God and for the people of God. On top of not paying the Pastors very well, it’s also common for the same people to be negative and critical towards the servant that God has sent them!

So God says, “Treat the Pastor very well financially – you feed your oxen well, and pay top dollar for the craftsmen that work for you! Pay the man! And, don’t accept accusations against this man, unless there are two or three valid witnesses!”

A well paid Pastor is more likely to be an effective Pastor. A Pastor who is preoccupied with caring for his family will not be an effective Pastor. The church needs to clear his mind of such worries by making certain that his needs are very well taken care of. The church needs to pray for him, to support him and to cooperate with him in all things that are biblical and will bring growth to the church. The Pastor is seeking the good of the people both no and for eternity, and neither can do their best without the other.

A well paid Pastor will not likely be a bitter or negative preacher. When a Pastor is living on a level below the people he is leading, it is natural for him to harbor resentment for those who are taking care of their families, yet not tithing and enabling their Pastor to take care of his family. Naturally, an  over worked and underpaid Pastor is not going to rejoice very well when his congregation members are prospering and accumulating material wealth while he is barely making it. And so much the more when they complain that he is not very exciting to listen to and that he seems negative quite often (and if he doesn’t pull out of it, they will vote him out next June!).

What does God say about paying the Pastor? 1 Timothy 5:17- 20 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear." 

The Pastor should be paid well, due to the nature of his calling, of the work that the people see and the work and pressure that they do not see. Getting into the word for the benefit of the people and having correct doctrine is, in God’s words, “labor!” It’s as much work as an ox that is treading out corn, or a person who is in heavy labor each day.
 

Bringing accusation against a Pastor or other Elder. Even in Bible times, it was common for negative and carnal church members to bring accusation against their leaders. Sometimes, of course, the accusations were factual, and the men of God were truly doing wrong and had gotten caught at it. But, to bring accusation of wrongdoing against an Elder is a very serious thing in the eyes of God! He never takes it lightly!

Look at the authority and position that God has placed these men in. Not only are they to be counted worthy of double honor, but they can have no rebuke brought against them, unless there are  two or three eyewitnesses!  Gossiping about a Pastor or Elder brings reproach upon the body of Christ, as well as the name of Jesus. In most states, even accusing a Minister of swearing or any other behavior that is contrary to the expected behavior of clergy is actionable in a court of law! God says, “Give me two or three independent first hand testimonies or keep the accusations to yourself!”

These men must give account for the peoples’ souls. With this awesome responsibility comes the  authority that God gives them. These men are to be peacemakers, and yet rebuke, correct, exhort with all authority! And, they have to trust God to make a difference between the clean and the unclean, between the holy and the unholy. And, live by the rule that, (2 Timothy 2:24-26), “… the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

 Romans 12:19  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”  The highest authority the Elder answers to is not the local congregation, not to the denomination, but also to the Lord of Heaven and earth. When this is the relationship, it brings peace to the Body of Christ, it brings glory to the Father!

Copyright Steven L. Davis  www.stevedavis.org