Jobs Simply - If a pastor is "called by God" to preach, then why do some look at it as a job that requires a salary?

If a pastor is "called by God" to preach, then why do some look at it as a job that requires a salary?

A job is something a person goes out in search of and receives wages for work done. If a man has been called by God to preach, shouldn't he be trusting in the Lord to supply his needs as Paul did? The reason I am asking this, is because the pastors of megachurches and televangelists are paid extraordinarily high salaries and live in the lap of luxury, while a lot of the people who are supporting their ministries are doing without. Seems hypocritical to me, and that's why I was curious as to your opinion on this. Thank you in advance for your thoughtful answers.

Public Comments

Even pastors need to eat.
hmmmm... i wondered that too... i suppose some pastors could get another job, and let the chuch be volunteer work. it's like running your own business: you can care about it a lot and that will make it prosper. God is treating them for how much they care, so they will prosper. does that make sense?
they have stomachs too..
No faith in the book they teach from.
I'm with Andrew. pastor are exempt from eating?
They didn't answer a call to be poor.
Why the hell would you pay a pastor to do it when you can get the same info from your local homeless bum.
Especially a salary that enables him to buy a BMW.
Paul was an apostle ( one sent ) and was supported by the churches. Those people you described will reap what they have sown.
It may seem hypocritical to you and to me as well, but we are really not supposed to waste our time judging others. As for me, I have a full time job with my own salvation and that of my brother. Peace be with you.
The Bible establishes that in the first century church, evangelists and pastors (not the same thing as a preacher, by the way) were supported financially 1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." However, this does not justify the extravegance of the people you mention, most of whom are not preaching the Gospel, but their own gospel (Galatians 1)
Paul said this: "Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:13-14)
A pastor is paid to preach, not to practice. If he practices everything he preaches, he won't last 2 months.
would say it depends on the size of the church, and whether they have time for an outside job. the ministry in a big church is a full time job. i know pastors who do it both ways.
The Pastor of my church does get a salary, but its not exhorberant like the TV ones. He can't hold a job because he is there for us fulltime, weekends, holidays and nights. God does provide for our needs, however we are to provide for our Pastor also. He definately doesn't live the high life, but I am very thankful that he is there when needed.
well even though they didn't answer a call to be poor isn't one of their oaths to live in poverty, chastity or is that more symbolic like the Hippocratic oath in medicine nowadays? [edit] my response sounds very mean, thats not what I meant I went to school in a Jesuit university and they told me that poverty was one of their oaths.
Because preaching is not the only thing that pastors do. At least in the church that I grew up in, our minister held counseling sessions, brought communion and comfort to shut-ins, visited the sick and worked at the food pantry. For him, at least, ministering to our whole congregation was a full-time job.
This is a very good question. There are people that teach the bible and do not get paid for it, such as Jehovah's Witnesses. They give their time as full time ministers, and bible teachers and they ask for no pay in return. Instead they do just what you said, they put their trust in God.
Well, to me the point is this: who pays their salaries? You do, or whoever considers themselves to be a part of the congregation. If this dude is a totally rockin' preacher and God called them to do it, then he's going to reward them by granting them everything they need. Another thing is that Paul lived in a time when bartering was the way to get things. We don't barter anymore; you need cash to buy everything you need. So if God was hooking Paul up with a chicken every other night for dinner, he's going to give the present-day preacher $5 to go to McDonald's every night. Or whatever.
That they are paid for their services, if that's their only soure of income, is not what really annoys me What really annoys me and seems very hypocritical, is the fact that they get paid according to the amount of people that follow him. That's a plain pyramid scheme.
A worker is worthy of his salary You do not know how hard some of these ministers of God have worked to get where they are at. Just like a doctor works hard to get where he is, these ministers must also and the Lord will bless those who Work for Him.
Of course a pastor needs a salary. That's how he earns his living.
...Gods Word clearly explains that the "workman" is worth his wage.....
I don't recall Jesus or any of the apostles being given money. I do recall them going fishing for food. I marvel also that one becomes "called of God" by completing coursework at a university that they pay money to attend. Seems kinda backwords. Kinda Pharisiachal? Or were the Saduccees the learned ones. Don't remember. I do find it ironic that Jesus chose fishermen who were not scholars instead of rabbis and other spiritually learned men to be his apostles. My Pastor is an attorney during the week. Our last pastor was an accountant. None of them get paid. It makes me feel better that if they needed to be sharp due to something we were doing wrong they would do it not fearing depreciating the collection plate...we don't have one of those either but you know what I mean.
those mansions they live in are nice i might start doing it myself only have to sound like you mean it
And how exactly were Paul's needs supplied? It was the generosity of believers that gave "love gifts (money)" to him. Plus, he was an apostle, so he went to and fro throughout the world and stayed with other believers. It isn't much different for a Pastor who gets paid based on what is given to the church. I don't think he should receive really high wages, but a man has to prvide for his family somehow... I don't understand your gripe about this.
A pastor of a small church will receive a small amount of money from the congregation. Most of the time those pastors need to work a job outside the church in order to live. If the church grows and grows then too will the amount of money that comes from parishioners. If the pastor is honest, a financial board should decide the pastors salary based upon the cost of living in that area. A pastor that is in charge of his own salary is probably not an honest pastor.
People should be paid for their work. To say a pastor should not be paid is to say what they do has no value. While I agree with such sentiments, I would not think Christians believe a pastors job has no value. Your question also implies that doctors and lawyers, or even lumber jacks cannot feel they have been called to "practice" by God. Should those who feel "called" to other professions do without salaries, too? Now, making extremely high income is not the same a fair compensation, so you move into a different question with that point.
There has never ever been a pastor or any other preacher called by God to preach, but they are certainly called by their greed for money and power.
Some pastors really are called by God and others are providing an entertainment show that is filling their pockets. Alot of pastors barely make ends meet. Especially the small church pastors. I've known some pastors that have turned down higher paying salaries to go to a larger church to remain pastoring at a smaller church with very little pay just because they prayed and God give them the peace to remain. I agree some in the profession are salary seekers but if you look at the majority overall I believe there are alot of Called by God pastors that deserve every bit of the little they get.
Well, they probably have bills to pay like most of us do. They have houses that need electricity and they have to eat and pay for health insurance and car payments and car insurance. they also usually need a masters degree to be a minister in protestant churches so there are school bills. The majority of preachers I know often give way beyond the hours they're hired to "work" for the church. They are often there for the congregation 24/7 when there is a problem for one of their members. I have received spiritual direction and the minister had me either give money to my church to cover the fee or donate it to charitiy. I have usually been suspicious of the ministry that happens on tv as with televangelists. They could be good people (like I believe Joel Osteen is), but there are others I don't trust. When someone makes themselves rich off the faith of others, they are serving themselves not God.
If what these pastors are preaching is from the Bible, then they have probably read what Jesus said in Mathew 10:8: "...Freely you have received, freely give."
you are right.jesus and the apostiles did not charge people to hear the truth.all they required was a bed for the night. here is what the gospel says- Matthew 10 2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Luke 10 1After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 1 Corinthians 9 The Rights of an Apostle 1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas[a]? 6Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? 7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? 9For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain."[b] Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. The priest sin my church live like that and lack nothing.God provides their every need.the priests in my church get voluntary donations from people and move about from house to house. 1 Timothy 6 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Matthew6 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?..... 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? there is no need for anyone, particualarally a man of God, to possess flashy cars and expensive jewerally.if a man of God wants extra than what God will provide for him, through people, then he is no real man of God and can go earn it himself. Anabaptists have men chosen by the church, who have a day job along with being a man of God.
OH VIRGINIA, Virginia.......How right you are...Especially here in the USA. The salaries are out of this world for some ministries. I am now speaking from personal experience as a minister of the gospel and the son of an Evangelist, who BOTH receive NO WAGE from ANY MAN!!!! GOD IS OUR SOURCE and OUR SUPPLIER!!!! God called us and we have complete confidence in HIM. If my Heavenly Father has a footstool of GOLD, then my NEEDS are but a particle of sand to HIM. My dad always taught me to ask NO MAN for anything, but to TOTALLY TRUST GOD for everything and don't tell a soul what your needs are. I can assure you that Gods Word and dads counsel has stood me in good stead my whole life. I ask no man for anything, I 100% trust God for my every need and HE never fails me. There is a day of accountability coming very soon when many will stand before and awesome God and have to give an account. My desire is to be honourable before the Lord and to pray for those who I believe are in awesome error. God is their judge dear sister and I would only counsel you to pray for them. I don't NEED a JET..I DON'T NEED MULTI MILLION DOLLAR ARENAS or huge cars or a host of security staff. When we operate in the SUPERNATURAL POWER of GOD Virginia......Our God W I L L supply all our needs. I dont need to go on TV and have a SHARATHON, that is not how my God operates.....That is outright BEGGING an not of God. I always say Virginia....What would Jesus say???? I know what He did say when He went into the temple and turned the place upside down. I know who He called "VIPERS"...the religious leaders!!!! Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Just read 2 Peter 2 and let the Spirit of God lead you into ALL truth. 2 Peter 2 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. I trust this is helpful to you.
I believe that those who receive mega bucks fall into many temptations. There are many who I believe fall into sin in this area as we all have seen. It is hypocritical and they will at the end of their lives be held accountable to God himself for falling into these sins. More than those they teach as the work of God has been entrusted to them and ourLord will judge bad stewartship greed and all other sins severly. There are ministers such as Rick Warren,he for one does tithe back to God 90% of his toatal earnings...and he says he still lives in the same litttle house he and his wife purchased 25 years ago or so. He drives a little car and he does say he would serve Jesus for nothing if he could. A true example! Rick Warren is not a television minister but he has written many best sellers books and has a weekly congregation on 20,000 strong! He is quite an amazing servant of God's. We can't stop this pratice of those who are greedy but we must be careful not to categorise all televison ministers and group them all in this particular group. Also churches have to submit income tax data to the IRS and I'm sure that a pastor would be scrutinized very carefully if he did just receive offerings. The hassle would be something he wouldn't need. Plus pension plans, etc. All of this has to be considered in this question. I believe our true ministers need continuous prayer to remain strong,(also the Lord's protection and wisdom in knowing how to walk with those in church's who have the power to evict them) and kept out of sin, in order to run the race well.
I see where you are coming from. My Father worked third shift and paid his tithes every week to a little Church he preached at for years..it was hard but he was so blessed. he managed to help build quite a few churches, and it was never about him .It was always about God. he was a man of humble spirit. And was a happy man.Today there are churches Standing because my dad came through this earth.and was willing to give his all for Gods work.. Hopefully there are more. willing to go that way. God bless.
Hi Virginia, I'll try my best to answer this complex question. I think a minister of any kind should live within a moderate income so as to sail along with those that don't have anything. Some do preach the gospel for money, those won't have any rewards in heaven. I don't like to see a minister living as some rich swindler taking advantage of people. At my church which is big, they have many paid staff members that are helping in the church. I know that people have a family and should not be living in poverty just because they are working for the Lord but it should be a moderate life style. With some people, the more they get the more they want. Our pastor said Sunday that he is praying that people will suffer financially if they are living apart from God. He hope NEED will drive them to the Lord, which happens usually. But if the people are very poor, that will limit his income also. God be with you Virginia
A calling is a job. God has no problem with rewarding those who diligently seek Him, wether they be pastors, teachers, lawyers, or house keepers.
Hi Virginia! :-) I feel the same way! So does my husband! We went to a couple of Churches in search of a Church to go to, but it seems like whenever we go to one, the preacher concentrates on the tidings. There was this one Church we were invited to by some friends of ours, and we went, and the preacher did his sermen, but it also included (several hints, and direct words), that it was important that you give every Sunday your tidings. 10% is what was expected out of you, and it is what God expects you to give. The preachers son joined the Military and he just got married, and the Military gives you an automatic bonus to cover some costs etc. Well, out of that he was expected to give 10%. And he did. That was a lot of money. It was around $700 that he gave in that Sunday's pot. I thought Tidings were sacrifices made for the Lord? I remember the Bible was stating that some people sacrificed their animals (sheep for one), for Jesus? Why is it that "money" is what's stressed to give? And why is it that it has to be 10% "every" Sunday? I have some friends from another religion and their Church expects this every time you get paid and if you don't make good on your part, the Church and congregation frowns upon you for it. How sad huh? I give what I can when I go to Church. I don't want to be forced to give what I can't. Know what I mean? If I can only afford $5 or even just $2 at that time; I don't want to be shamed by the Church. And that's kind of how I felt at the last two Churches I went to because it just seems like those two Churches talked mostly about tidings, and it felt as if the preachers were being a bit greedy. I do see a lot of nice Jewelry on the wives and even the preachers of those mega churches and televangelists. It seems a bit "showy". I love my Lord, and it's very hard to believe in organized religion now a days. I was brought up Christian Baptist and I loved going to Church with my Granny and Papo. I believe in my religion, I'm just finding it hard to trust the "Church". Does that make sense? Great question!