Why pastors and preachers should not be receiving salaries

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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#22
I never said a preacher’s needs should not be supplied. And what are those needs? Food, water, shelter and clothing. Anything beyond that is not a need, and pastors today have many things that don’t qualify as basic needs. Yet they call those things their needs and then use believers’ money to purchase luxury at the expense of those who don’t even have basic needs met.
You aren't their judge, so it's; none of your business.

A pastor's salary is between the pastor, the board, and God, so it's none of your business.

How the pastor chooses to spend an earned salary is none of your business.

The money that is given to the work of the Church is no longer the believers' money; it is God's to use as He sees fit. If He chooses to bless the person who serves as pastor, that's (no surprise) none of your business.

People whose basic needs are not met should not feel that they need to give significantly. If they choose to sacrifice to bless God, then that is their choice, and it's none of your business.

The only thing you might have left to complain about is if the pastor is teaching some warped unbiblical idea of giving.
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
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#23
I can only give my opinion as a person and their wealth is between them and the Lord. I have seen many church’s become like corporations(Mega-Churches). The Pastor is o like the CEO and the Elders like the Board.

Once revenue and congregation size become the main focus, that Church can become very worldly. Should Pastors have a base salary? I would say yes. That is their profession but it’s also one that should be taken seriously as it is a calling from God. How much they make, well again that’s between them and God.
Jesus commanded His apostles who were sent out to preach not to carry any money with them. Look at the book of acts, the only reason money was collected in the church was to help the poor believers. The apostles took nothing except what was necessary for food and water. They never built large buildings nor did they collect money into their own pockets.
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
223
42
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#24
You aren't their judge, so it's; none of your business.

A pastor's salary is between the pastor, the board, and God, so it's none of your business.

How the pastor chooses to spend an earned salary is none of your business.

The money that is given to the work of the Church is no longer the believers' money; it is God's to use as He sees fit. If He chooses to bless the person who serves as pastor, that's (no surprise) none of your business.

People whose basic needs are not met should not feel that they need to give significantly. If they choose to sacrifice to bless God, then that is their choice, and it's none of your business.

The only thing you might have left to complain about is if the pastor is teaching some warped unbiblical idea of giving.
It is my business because I have heard how atheists are rejecting the Gospel and calling all Christians hypocrites because the preachers live in luxury and corruption of wealth. The Gospel is being blasphemed because of greedy preachers and you say it’s not a Christian’s business. Why is it your business to come tell me all this?
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
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#25
In those scriptures that exhort honorable living.
Those wages have nothing to do with material wealth. It is a wage that will be paid when Jesus returns for His bride, and its far better than all the material wealth in this world.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
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#26
It is my business because I have heard how atheists are rejecting the Gospel and calling all Christians hypocrites because the preachers live in luxury and corruption of wealth. The Gospel is being blasphemed because of greedy preachers and you say it’s not a Christian’s business. Why is it your business to come tell me all this?
You "heard" how atheists are rejecting the gospel..."? Atheists reject the gospel because they love their sin. A few hypocrites in the church are just an excuse, and if every pastor were honest, atheists would find another excuse.

Why is it my business? I'm trying to get across to you that generic rants about issues that, individually, are truly none of your (or my) business aren't helping anyone. Are there greedy pastors? Perhaps, but I don't know any. I really don't care about big-name pastors either way. I'm not in a position to advise or rebuke them. If you are, then you should do so... privately.
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
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#27
Jesus commanded His apostles who were sent out to preach not to carry any money with them. Look at the book of acts, the only reason money was collected in the church was to help the poor believers. The apostles took nothing except what was necessary for food and water. They never built large buildings nor did they collect money into their own pockets.
Yes, this is true. The Apostles were called by Jesus personally(Except Matthias whom was chosen by lot). I don’t see how that applies to Pastors and Minsters and if they get a salary or not.
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
223
42
28
#28
You "heard" how atheists are rejecting the gospel..."? Atheists reject the gospel because they love their sin. A few hypocrites in the church are just an excuse, and if every pastor were honest, atheists would find another excuse.

Why is it my business? I'm trying to get across to you that generic rants about issues that, individually, are truly none of your (or my) business aren't helping anyone. Are there greedy pastors? Perhaps, but I don't know any. I really don't care about big-name pastors either way. I'm not in a position to advise or rebuke them. If you are, then you should do so... privately.
Yes, I heard because I have atheists tell me that face to face. One said to my face Christians are all conmen and hypocrites because they keep asking for money in church gatherings. A church my friend went to was prosecuted by the government because their leaders were misusing church funds to support their entertainment businesses outside. Look at the luxurious and greedy lifestyles of those who preach false gospels of material wealth (prosperity gospel is just one to name a few). There were cults in my country which were in the name of Christ but the leaders were all about accumulating wealth for themselves secretly from the believers and then they taught believers to mutilate themselves and others. Go and read what evil is done for wealth among them who dare to call themselves preachers and it is clear why the true Gospel is being rejected and spurned and mocked.

You think I’m posting this as a generic rant? No, this is a post to convict the hearts of those who don’t preach with a pure heart and use the Word of God to prosper themselves. I don’t judge them but tons of Bible verses do, and such greedy preachers are condemned by the apostles.
 
Dec 30, 2019
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#29
All of God’s priests, apostles and prophets were allowed to receive material goods from believers because they had the primary job of preaching the truth and the Gospel. Those material goods were received ONLY to satisfy their most basic needs like food, water, clothing and shelter.
I have never been offered any money and as far as I know I have never accepted any money for serving God. Even if I were to clean the church or do maintenance work. I would not charge any money. Our rewards are to be in Heaven, not here on Earth. We should be well known by the people in Heaven. Our friends and family should see our rewards showing up there daily. When they go to visit our mansion in Heaven they should see new additions that were not there before. So they can witness the evidence of the work we are doing here on Earth. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew6:19,20,21) Do people follow the teachings of the Bible? If they did they would not want paid here on the Earth. Not even paid in receiving honor from man.

"So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew6:2,3,4)

This one is difficult for me. I literally ask people: Don't you see what I have done for you? I may have just paid for the food they ate. Yet they will so no, you never did nothing for me. Because I did not actually cook the food and serve it to them. I just paid for it when we bought it from the store. So I have to remind myself that my giving is in secret and our reward is from God. Even at church I try to hide my giving so the pastor has no regard for me as someone that gives anything. Then you know who is in it for the money and who does not show any special consideration to the people who give and donate to the church.
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
223
42
28
#30
You "heard" how atheists are rejecting the gospel..."? Atheists reject the gospel because they love their sin. A few hypocrites in the church are just an excuse, and if every pastor were honest, atheists would find another excuse.

Why is it my business? I'm trying to get across to you that generic rants about issues that, individually, are truly none of your (or my) business aren't helping anyone. Are there greedy pastors? Perhaps, but I don't know any. I really don't care about big-name pastors either way. I'm not in a position to advise or rebuke them. If you are, then you should do so... privately.
Do you know what the cult in the name of Jesus in my country used to attract people to them? Material wealth, sex, power and status. The leader of that cult accumulated personal wealth in the millions, and people who followed the leader ended up mutilating themselves and killing people, all in the name of God. Woe to them.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
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#31
Not spelling words properly because we are mssng a letter when we type can you guess whch letter mssng? i not workng and had to copy and paste that one. Now for the reply.

We aren't back N Jesus day. Preachers deserve to make money to support there famly have to not spell the way l want to just to get my thought across and have to rearrange words that don't have l not too easy. Must use lower case L just to try to get an l N sentence...

Not all preachers are wealthy or greedy most want to spread gospel and help people come to Jesus. The greedy ones must answer to God some day. A lot of pastors aren't treated wth love and respect that they are due. We as church members should help and support them wth spreadng the gospel and help people come to Jesus to start a relatonshp wth Jesus.
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
223
42
28
#32
Yes, this is true. The Apostles were called by Jesus personally(Except Matthias whom was chosen by lot). I don’t see how that applies to Pastors and Minsters and if they get a salary or not.
I’m going out now cannot post proper replies. Will get back to you later.
 
Dec 30, 2019
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#33
I don’t see how that applies to Pastors and Minsters and if they get a salary or not.
Pastors do a lot that other people should be doing. I know pastors that help clean the church. Or they counsel people for free that would cost a lot of money out in the world. Often they even marry people for free. They can not be out working making money and in the church working at the same time. I remember Howie Mandel say that he likes his work and he would work for free. But he had to take an airplane to get there so he needs the money for the ticket and having to ride on that plane. My dad use to just collect the money that people would charge him. If he had to hire a repair man then he would collect enough money to pay for the repairs and what it actually cost him to live. In Heaven we will not need money because everyone will work for free and just give things to each other. I do that now because Jesus said we should pray "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven". For example I like to make refrigerator magnets out of patches or buttons and different things. If anyone sees anything they like on my refrigerator take it, it's yours. I can always make more if I want more of them.
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
986
113
#35
Pastors do a lot that other people should be doing. I know pastors that help clean the church. Or they counsel people for free that would cost a lot of money out in the world. Often they even marry people for free. They can not be out working making money and in the church working at the same time. I remember Howie Mandel say that he likes his work and he would work for free. But he had to take an airplane to get there so he needs the money for the ticket and having to ride on that plane. My dad use to just collect the money that people would charge him. If he had to hire a repair man then he would collect enough money to pay for the repairs and what it actually cost him to live. In Heaven we will not need money because everyone will work for free and just give things to each other. I do that now because Jesus said we should pray "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven". For example I like to make refrigerator magnets out of patches or buttons and different things. If anyone sees anything they like on my refrigerator take it, it's yours. I can always make more if I want more of them.
This OP sounds like it’s agenda driven. There seems to be a lot of animosity directed at Pastors who make living from what they do. I attended a church that essentially wanted to become a mega-Church. I was not in the belief that how they were going about was God honoring, so I decided to leave.

My contention is, let God be God. If someone has a stance that Pastors should not be paid a wage, simply don’t associate with any church that does that. An individual should not expect universal conformity because they view it as unbiblical. I think the Lord is more than capable of dealing with it by Himself.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#36
All of God’s priests, apostles and prophets were allowed to receive material goods from believers because they had the primary job of preaching the truth and the Gospel. Those material goods were received ONLY to satisfy their most basic needs like food, water, clothing and shelter.

But modern day constitutional Churches turned the job of preaching into an enterprise, and instead of receiving material things to satisfy only basic needs, pastors and teachers are getting rich from preaching while most of the hearers who give them money are poorer than them or live in poverty. The poor are ignored while the preachers get millions of income. This is against the very teachings of Jesus and His apostles. Even the apostle Paul supported his ministry through tent making, to set a good example.

Repent you leaders of the church.
Muzzle not the ox that treads out the corn "wheat"......
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
223
42
28
#37
This OP sounds like it’s agenda driven. There seems to be a lot of animosity directed at Pastors who make living from what they do. I attended a church that essentially wanted to become a mega-Church. I was not in the belief that how they were going about was God honoring, so I decided to leave.

My contention is, let God be God. If someone has a stance that Pastors should not be paid a wage, simply don’t associate with any church that does that. An individual should not expect universal conformity because they view it as unbiblical. I think the Lord is more than capable of dealing with it by Himself.
Does gaining millions of income from preaching sound like making a LIVING to you? I do agree with pastors being supported by the church, but I would support them with ACTUAL MEALS and NECESSITIES rather than money. Because anything beyond meals and necessities makes them greedy.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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#38
And what are the contents of their books? If it is about the Gospel it is still peddling God’s word for money. Besides, apostle Peter made it clear that false teachers will make merchandise of believers, that could well include selling books.
I think the point is it's just simple economics.
If you write a book you're probably going to make a lot of money.
That's just how it works economically speaking.
But the point about making merchandise of the church is well taken.
I do believe that the handful of millionaire pastors and teachers are making merchandise of believers.
 

Enxu

Active member
Jan 13, 2020
223
42
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#39
Muzzle not the ox that treads out the corn "wheat"......
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

Jude 1:11
Now they are in for real trouble. They have followed Cain's example and have made the same mistake that Balaam did by caring only for money. They have also rebelled against God, just as Korah did. Because of all this, they will be destroyed.
 
Nov 16, 2019
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#40
Does gaining millions of income from preaching sound like making a LIVING to you? I do agree with pastors being supported by the church, but I would support them with ACTUAL MEALS and NECESSITIES rather than money. Because anything beyond meals and necessities makes them greedy.
No, I think a medium set salary is sufficient to address the issue.
Personally, I don't want anyone but my wife or daughter or son cooking for me.