A Workers Wages
God's word tells us that a worker is worthy of his wages.
This means that we shouldn't be stingy when it comes to paying our pastor.
By their actions some churches show that they really do not value God's word and spiritual guidance in the same way they would the menial things of this life.
They will take their car in to get fixed and pay someone 60+ dollars an hour to do the work...but when it comes to paying a man who labors to instruct them and guide them with God's word they can become very "tight" fisted.
Now...to look at things from another angle.
If a pastor is being paid then he should labor for his wages.
A pastor is also a shepherd, this means he is not merely a "teacher"...his "job" isn't only standing in the pulpit and teaching God's people.
As a shepherd he is to get to know God's people, come out of the study and into the lives of his people.
He is to be hospitable...this means his house should be open for people to feel comfortable enough to "drop" by...not just "open" for a scheduled...annual visit.
Even though the pastor should not "merely" be a teacher...he should be a teacher.
If a man has been a pastor for many years and has been in several different callings over those years he might be tempted to play the old "replay" game.
Pull out sermon series that he used while being paid by other churches.
If the pastor does this in order for him to spend more time visiting and building up the sheep, or reaching out to the community and sharing the gospel, then one can appreciate his shrewd stewardship...but...if he reuses old sermons...and then uses the extra time for himself...catching up on some new novels...watching a few new movies his is behind on...ect...then he needs to repent of his actions...he is a worker and he should be acting in a worthy manner...because he is receiving wages.
posted by Dale Callahan at 1:30 PM
3 Comments:
If you don't work, you can't really expect to eat.
My observation from a 17-year walk with the Lord so far is that most Christians don't tithe, and that most Pastors work very, very hard for what they are paid by God's people.
Just as there are a few Christians who give extravagantly, there are a few Pastors who are bad workers.
We can trust that God will deal with all His children in a just, loving, gracious and truthful manner.
The only person we can really work on is ourselves in matters like this.
I agree Scotty,
I would say for the majority of cases you are correct...the pastor is overworked and underpaid...but there are always exceptions...and I do believe the pastorate can be abused...under certain circumstances.
With you last comment I partially agree. Jesus said that we must first take the plank out of our own eye before we take the speck out of our brothers eye.
We live in a very individualistic age...and this has also entered the church. But Scott and Dale are not mere individuals...we are members of Christ's body.
The Bible says the wounds of a friend are more faithful then the kisses of an enemy...we must speak into each others lifes, in love, and not merely work on ourselves.
c'mon bro time for another blog...quit slackin'
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