Don’t Starve the Oxen!

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? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 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? ….. 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? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:7-9,13-14

Paul uses the analogy of a solider, farmer and a humble work ox to prove the point that pastors (or ministers or elders or however you want to call them) who labour for their flocks should receive a living salary from those they serve.

If they labour for the church spiritually, then they are worthy of being clothed, fed and housed physically- so argues the Apostle.

The pastor’s life (like that of any believer) will characteristically involve sacrifice and self-denial. It cannot be any other way. On the other hand, we need to balance this with the above Biblical command and the many other appeals to love one another fervently and generously.

I presently draw a part salary from my home church and supplement that income with other part-time work. As the church grows then that support will likely increase. That is fine by me. We already fully support our senior pastor as we should.

My burden is that if local churches in this country want young men (or a man of any age) to leave their present jobs or careers to enter vocational ministry then one way of ensuring the next generation of pastors is to pay them properly.

The church will never be able (nor should they) to compete with large corporate salaries but they can provide a pastor and his family with a wage that properly provides for their needs. It is also unfair to drop a pastor’s salary simply because he receives some family payments from Centrelink. No other worker or professional has his or her pay cut simply because they have kids.

While a pastor should not enter the ministry for financial reward, it is the ideal that he be able to concentrate on ministry for eternity knowing that his rent or mortgage will be paid each fortnight and that he can provide for his wife and children.

We all know that pastors are required to be ‘devoted to hospitality’ but if that service is to done well, it will cost money. Unless of course you want to eat popcorn and drink tap water the next time you eat at your pastor’s place.

Perhaps you have some perspectives you would like to offer on this subject?

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