If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? 1 Corinthians 9:11-12 NIV
Your pastor needs to be supported financially. He should not have to worry about how he is going to feed his family. (I am thankful to have planted a church that believes in supporting its pastors.)
I haven’t met any strong, Biblical pastors who don’t realize that the ministry is a sacrifice. Most pastors don’t expect to be wealthy. Most pastors know that the ministry is a life of faith, even in the area of finances. They shouldn’t, however, have to beg for support. The burden of support should be on those receiving the ministry.
Now I fully realize that there are those who take advantage of the ministry and the generosity of others, but God will deal with those, and, I believe, He will do so severely. The principle and reasoning here though is much as we saw in Part 1 of this series. The pastor needs to be free of concerns which will keep him from properly focusing on the powerful delivery of God’s Word. His primary function according to Scripture is “to equip the saints”. He will never do this effectively if he is worried about paying his light bill or providing for an education for his children.
How is your pastor being treated financially? Is he comfortable? Is he able to concentrate on what God has called him to do? Is there some tangible way you could express your love and appreciation to your pastor?
