Psalm 35:27 *Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant*.
*SHOULD PREACHERS BE PAID*? (b)
During my NYSC days, I met a diligent preacher of the gospel who ministered in some of our programs. He was very sound and anointed. After I left NYSC, while we got talking, he appreciated me for the honorarium we gave him back in the days.
I was surprised about his appreciation because I had left. He said the support we gave him those days was his lifeline of survival those period because he worked in a church where his whole income was N700 per week. His church doesn't support their ministers adequately not out of lack but because they did not understand these things properly.
He could have left ministry due to hardship but he stayed and God has established him today. There are many faithful preachers like him today suffering. They belong to a church that doesn't place premium on supporting their pastors yet they demand of them full time. This is not right. Even the members do not give to their pastors.
Some just have this weird believe that preachers bills will be sorted anyhow so they abdicated from their responsibility of giving back to them. Some believe the poorer a preacher is, the closer he'll be to God. That's wrong. In poverty, his attention to the ministry may be divided and he won't serve you well.
Umfortunately, some who don't support their pastors and missionaries put their monies in things and people who are not adding value to their spiritual lives. They spend thousands to watch comedians to make them happy momentarily but cannot give substantially to the one who labour over them in prayer and doctrine. So bad! That is having low value for spiritual things.
Galatians 6:6 (NLT) says, *"Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them*".
In the previous teaching, we examined a scripture that validates paying ministers of the gospel. As much as we are against greed, we must not look away from divine order given by God to support those in ministry especially those that have devoted all their time to the ministry.
I know some may not like the idea of remunerating preachers but there is nothing they can do against it because it is a practice that has been from bible days. God supported it and even made provision for the welfare of Levites. Let us consider another scripture.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 NLT
[13] *Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings*.
[14] *In the same way, THE LORD ORDERED that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it*.
Dearest, It is an order from the Lord that those who labour in preaching and teaching should be supported financially. As much as it is a calling, it is also a job. In fact, a more demanding job than some secular jobs.
As an aside, dear minister, It is not wrong to be bivocational if the local church/ ministry hasn't grown to the point where you can be adequately supported. Wisdom is required here. Even as a full time, engaging in profitable ventures that can earn you extra income is not a bad idea as long as you are not distracted from your calling.
If Paul says it is an order from the Lord to support ministers of the gospel, it will be flagrant disobedience If we do not comply to this divine injunction.
Father, I receive the grace to be generous to ministers of the gospel in Jesus name.