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Christian Leadership Training Course

By J.C. Choate

Lesson 12

The Preacher’s Support

What does the Bible say about supporting a preacher? Should he be paid? There have always been people, and even some in the church, who have opposed this practice. Some congregations take care of their own preaching by letting the men of the congregation take turns preaching. After doing this for a few years, there have been cases where the members begin to think that it would be wrong to give a preacher a regular salary.

Before seeing what the Bible says on this subject, let me ask this question: Doesn’t a preacher have to live, too? If so, how is he going to pay his expenses and provide for their needs? It is true that a young preacher may not need much support, because he may still be living with his parents. There are any number of possibilities that would make it unnecessary for one to receive a salary. But again, what about the preacher who has only his brethren, the church, to look to for his support? What then?

When Jesus sent out the seventy to preach to the people of Israel, He said, “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house’. And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house” (Luke 10:3-7).

Paul said that even an elder of the church who gives his full time to the Lord and His cause is worthy of receiving financial support. Hear what he said, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain’, and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17,18). Paul goes back to Deuteronomy 25:4 to show that even oxen were rewarded for their work. He then uses that fact to show that any laborer is worthy of his hire whether it be an elder or preacher. He explains that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:13,14).

We know that in addition to being an apostle and a preacher, Paul was a tentmaker by profession (Acts 18:1-3). Explaining to the Corinthian Christians some of the things that he had experienced as a servant of the Lord, he said that he had also laboured, working with his own hands (1 Corinthians 4:12). With the church being young, he didn’t want to be a burden. He said again to the Corinthian Christians, “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?” (2 Corinthians 12:14-18).

Although Paul did not want to burden his brethren by looking to them for financial help, still there were those who did give to his needs at times. For example, we read where the Philippian brethren supported him. Paul said, “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you did aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:15-19).

Now I think that we can see from God’s word that the principle of supporting or giving a salary to a preacher, or even to an elder who uses his full time in the Lord’s work, is certainly there. Naturally it can be misused and abused, as can any other principle, but the point is, this practice is not forbidden by God.

But who is to pay the preacher? Scripturally, the church, and the church is made up of individual members. They are the ones who give to make it possible for the preacher to be paid. How much should the preacher be paid? It depends on the work he does and how much the church is able to pay. If the church is not able, that ends the matter right there. But if the church can pay part-time support, or full support, then it will be up to the elders, or if there are no elders, for the men of the congregation to meet, discuss their needs, whether this is the preacher they want to use, and if so, how much they will want to pay, based on the money they have available. Then they may call in the preacher and convey to him their decision. If they are able to agree on the salary, and what his duties will be, the matter is settled. It is just that simple. If he feels he cannot live on what they offer, naturally he will have to make other arrangements, and so will they.

Or it may be that a congregation may have sufficient funds to help with some work in another part of the city, state, or country. It may even be that they have received a request from a sister congregation for help with financial support for their preacher. They may choose to do this or they may not be in position to do so.

There can be many different circumstances and situations to arise concerning the preacher and his support, but all of these can be worked out by brethren as they go along, dealing with the needs as they develop. Certainly, though, it is scriptural and right for the church to support their preacher, if they are able to do so.