Some feel it is wrong to pay a preacher to labor fulltime in the word. These feelings are often rooted in antagonism toward the idea of "organized religion" or "business model" churches, but the reality is that feelings are not the final say regarding the topic. Nevertheless, the question remains (however evident, hidden, or non-existent one’s feelings are), is it right to pay a preacher who does not labor in the secular world?
There are no less than two preachers in scripture who can help us with the matter.
First, consider the words of the apostle Paul. Paul knew how to earn a living with his hands (Acts 18:1-3), but it’s interesting to note the same apostle who earned money in Corinth as a tentmaker also told the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 9:3-15:
"3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? 8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void." (NKJV)
Though Paul and Barnabas did not use the privilege of financial support from the Corinthians, he did not deny the truth of the matter. He would later remind the Corinthian church that other congregations covered his financial needs while he labored in Corinth for their benefit (2 Corinthians 11:7-9).
When the subject of "paying the preacher" is defended with the "words of Paul" it is not uncommon for objections to be raised. Some boldly slander Paul as the "originator" of modern "organized religion", proclaiming no such expectation was given by Jesus. Herein is the irony. Those who castigate the "doctrine of Paul" point to the same individual Paul himself points to as a justification for what he taught – the head of the church himself (1 Corinthians 9:14).
So lastly, consider the words of the Lord Jesus. When the son of a carpenter sent his 70 preachers into Israel, notice a foundational principle for that he built for gospel preachers in Luke 10:1-7:
"1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 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." (NKJV)
A preacher who ate locusts and wild honey while preaching fulltime (Matthew 3:1-6) had sown the seed and a harvest was ready! The Lord encouraged the continuance of the needed labor. It was Jesus who decreed that a laborer in the field for the kingdom of God is worthy of his wages!
A laborer’s financial compensation is between the congregation and that man. Not all congregations are the same, and a congregation and the preacher alike must remember the importance of stewardship. Conscience’s must remain aware of the account that will be given (Matthew 23:14) concerning how financial offerings are used!
When it comes to fully supporting preachers, some preachers lose their salt because they are not worth the salt they earn by laboring (at best) part-time hours while taking full-time pay, but this does not remove the right, the responsibility, or the permission given by the Lord, and his apostles, to financially support honest students, stewards, and servants of God (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
“Some time afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Cuza (Herod’s household manager), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.” (Luke 8:1-3)
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