The Local Church & the Pastor's Pay!

Introduction

This morning, we will get into a sensitive issue in many churches and with many people. Personally, it is an issue that I find uncomfortable. However, it is a topic that comes next in today’s study of 1 Corinthians 9.

As we will see from our text, today’s topic is the Local Church and the Pastor’s Pay.

It is a hot topic for one main reason. Many so-called pastors have abused and misused God’s teaching on this subject.

I will give you a couple of examples. About three years ago, I was scanning some news articles with I came across an article concerning a well-known American pastor. In all honesty, I had never heard of this man or his church. However, what caught my eye was the headline. The headline read something like this, “Pastor Seeks Donors for His Private Jet.” As you might guess, that piqued my curiosity. I wanted to learn his secret for raising money to purchase a private jet. No, I am only kidding. My initial reaction was, “What in the world!” As I read the article, I realized this pastor sought to raise money for his sixth private jet. I am not joking. He told his congregation, a rather large congregation, that God had given him a new vision of expanding his fleet of jets to six to accomplish more evangelism worldwide. As I read that, I thought, how can one man fly in six aircraft simultaneously. Anyways, I digress. Men like this have abused and misused God’s teaching on the Pastor’s Pay to inflate their wealth. By the way, I do not consider this man to be a genuine pastor. He is not concerned about preaching the gospel or ministering to help others. His focus is on what he is gaining for himself now and not what he is laying up in Heaven. Men like this give pastoring a sad name.

Yet, on the other hand, I know of pastors whose congregation does absolutely nothing for them. They do not help to feed him and his family. They think nothing of helping him with his travel expenses to and from visits. Additionally, they give him just enough salary to say they have done their duty. In doing so, those pastors are often discouraged weary, and many have to supplement their income by working a secular job.

Both examples are incorrect. Never should a pastor take advantage of God’s people by seeking personal profit. Yet, the flip side of that is this. Local churches should know and understand their responsibility to take care of God’s man.

The Pastor’s Pay and the Local Church are the subjects for today.

Before we get into the text and the message, I have this to say. I am NOT PREACHING this today to get more money. You, as a church, have been extremely good to my family and me. I am blessed to be your pastor. I am preaching this today because it comes next in our study of 1 Corinthians. My whole reason for preaching books of the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse is to avoid a bully pulpit. You know what a bully pulpit is, right? A pastor who uses his pulpit to preach what he thinks instead of following the Word of God is a bully pulpit. That is not me. I desire to preach God’s Word just as God gave it. For that reason, I preach expositorily. I preach what comes next. This topic is the subject that comes next. A matter that indeed does fit into the overall understanding of a local church. Remember that 1 Corinthians is God’s Blueprint for each local church.

Open now your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 9.

We will read our text and get right into today’s message.

1 Corinthians 9:7–11 KJV 1900

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

Let me start by pointing out:

The Pastor’s Rights

“Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?” (1 Corinthians 9:4–6)

These questions are a transition point in the Holy Spirit’s letter to the local church. It transitions from the topic of causing another brother to stumble to a pastor’s pay. Remember, the Holy Spirit is using Paul as an example. Paul was an apostle. God specifically called Paul into the ministry. This calling, by the way, is something every pastor must experience before assuming the mantle of a pastor. He must receive a specific call into the ministry from God in a similar fashion as Paul. God’s call upon Paul and other men is always a call to full-time ministry. God places in them a desire to serve Him. In doing so, we see here the Holy Spirit using Paul to point now some rights that each pastor has from God. Note that they are:

The Right to be Fed – “power to eat and to drink”

1 Corinthians 9:4 KJV 1900

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

Guess what? Food and drink are essential for living. Thus, the local church’s responsibility is to provide food for its pastor and his family.

The Right to Receive Travel Support – “power to lead about”

1 Corinthians 9:5 KJV 1900

5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

The phrase “lead about” implicates moving from place to place. Back when God impressed upon my heart to come here as your pastor, I led my wife and our family here. They traveled with their wives and families from place to place as God led them to serve Him. When God called me into the ministry, and later God impressed upon my heart to go to Nepal, I did not hesitate to lead my wife and our family to Nepal. They went with me. Even now, as your pastor, I travel from place to place (hospital visits, home visits, seminars, and other ministry-related travel). Guess what? Gas is not cheap. It is nice to travel in a reliable vehicle. It takes money to put gas in a car and keep it maintained. Thus, the local church’s responsibility is to provide travel support for their pastor.

The Right to Receive Sufficient Income – “power to forbear working”

1 Corinthians 9:6 KJV 1900

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

Here the Holy Spirit notes how Paul and Barnabas initially worked at tent-making to support themselves when they first came to Corinth. However, now that there was a local church there, they could “forbear working” and receive full support as they labored for the Lord.

SIDE NOTE - Paul and Barnabas ministered more in the way of today’s missionaries. Paul often went to cities that needed the gospel. He would preach the gospel seeing souls saved. From those who came to know Christ, Paul established a local church. He then would move on to the next town or city, repeating the same process. Thus, Paul is also an example of how today’s missionaries should be supported.

In both cases, pastors and missionaries are to be supported financially so they may devote their full attention to ministering God’s Word and preaching the gospel.

From here, the Holy Spirit supports the Pastor’s Rights - the right to be fed, the right to receive travel support, and the right to receive sufficient financial income.

The Pastor’s Rights Supported

“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” (1 Corinthians 9:7–11)

A Soldier has Rights – His nation compensates him for fighting on their behalf.

A Farmer has Rights – The daily toil of raising crops entitles a farmer to enjoy its bounty.

A Shepherd has Rights – It is the same with a shepherd.

SIDE NOTE - Each of these represents a different aspect of pastoring. As pastors, we lead the fight as soldiers of Christ, helping those we pastor in spiritual warfare. As farmers, we continually sow the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of those who are under his care. As shepherds, we work hard at feeding our people the milk and meat of God’s Word so they may grow spiritually.

However, the most significant support for a Pastor’s Rights comes directly from God’s Word – the O.T. is quoted here.

1 Corinthians 9:9 KJV 1900

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

SIDE NOTE – Note that the Holy Spirit asks the question, “Does God take care of oxen?” The answer is obvious. Yes, he does take care of them. Who is used by God to feed the oxen? He uses men. Men feed them; in turn, the oxen serve men. IF-THEN God expects men to take care of the beasts who serve them, do you think perhaps He expects men to take of those who minister His Word to them in their efforts to help them spiritually? The answer is yes once again.

The conclusion of the Holy Spirits’ support for a Pastor’s Pay or a Pastor’s Rights is this.

Look at verse 11.

“Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” (1 Corinthians 9:10)

Note that He uses the term “for our sakes.” Remember that this entire letter was for the local church of Corinth. It was for believers. A local church is a called-out assembly of believers in a particular location to glorify God and preach His gospel. The “our sakes” means then for the sake of believers in a local church. All this was written then for us to know and understand. The word “altogether” stresses that it was written for local church believers. That word in Greek means “entirely, with all certainty, and most assuredly.” Thus, without any doubt, God wanted each local church to know the importance of taking care of its pastor.

The Holy Spirit talks about the pastor plowing and threshing with hope if you read further here. What hope? Each pastor hopes to be a “partaker” of the fruit that results from his labor for the Lord. There is no doubt that a worthy pastor realizes that God is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He then labors for the Lord knowing that God will take care of him and his family. However, it is the local church’s responsibility to make sure they meet the necessities of life for their pastor. God uses you to take care of me!

There is one more thought here before I move on. Over in Matthew 6:24-34, Christ speaks about money and the physical necessities of life. This is the passage where He says:

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Later, in that same discourse, Christ continues by saying:

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I firmly believe this with all my heart. If you put God first in your life, He will take care of the rest. Every pastor worth his salt believes this passage. I have seen God do this for my family and me repeatedly. Will God take care of His man? Yes, He will. There is no doubt. I would much rather serve Christ than have all the riches this world offers. However, my willingness to serve Him and allow Him to take care of me does not let the local church off the hook. Each local church has the responsibility to take care of its pastor. That is the bottom line. And, any church that does not do so is sinning against the Lord.

Thus the overall question comes down to this.

Does the spiritual labor of God’s man (the pastor) merit material wages? How much a price do you put on someone whose life is committed to ministering the principles of God’s Word?

Think about it in these terms.

Pastors spend much of their time promoting these Biblical principles through preaching, teaching, and counseling. We urge men and women to receive salvation and help them understand God’s plan of redemption. We seek to help others realize the reality of living an abundant and eternal life. We constantly encourage you to live a life that exhibits the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and even self-control. Is there merit in helping such men, as pastors, in their spiritual labor for the Lord? God’s answer is yes!

The GREATEST NEED in America is for more people to come to God seeking His salvation and have Him change their lives.

Romans 10:14 KJV 1900

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

God uses pastors to change people! We cannot change them. Only God can do that. However, God chooses to use chosen vessels called pastors to be the instruments for change. Therefore, they are worthy of their hire.

Note what Christ told His disciples when He initially sent them into the surrounding villages to minister.

Matthew 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Why did He instruct them not to take any money? He would provide for them. They were His workman and “worthy” to His care. Additionally, the thought is that those to whom they ministered would take care of them as they went and ministered. God uses people. He uses His men to minister to the spiritual needs of others. He uses the local church to take care of His ministers.

If you go back to our text and look down to verse 14, you will note:

1 Corinthians 9:14 KJV 1900

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

The Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself, “ordained” that pastors and missionaries should “live” of the gospel. God uses His people to take care of His man.

Galatians 6:6 says:

Galatians 6:6 KJV 1900

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Notice the word “communicate” here. It means “to have, share, or support.” Thus, the command is those taught to support those who teach in all good things.

Philippians 4:14 KJV 1900

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

This verse is a verse of praise. The Holy Spirit was pleased with the local church of Philippi. Why was He pleased? They did “communicate” with Paul’s affliction. His affliction was a prison sentence. At the time, he was in jail in Rome. The local church of Philippi took God’s Word at face value. They believed their responsibility was to help God’s man. So, they communicated by helping financially and materially as he was in jail. They did their duty, and God was pleased.

And, then, we have one last passage supporting our text this morning. You can find it in 1 Timothy 5 which says:

1 Timothy 5:17–18 KJV 1900

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Here again, the Holy Spirit points back to the O.T. Law. It is the exact quote we found in our text this morning. And, again, the Holy Spirit reiterates, “The labourer is worthy of his reward.” The exciting thing about this verse is its context. The context is the Holy Spirit’s letter to a pastor. Timothy was God’s man. The Holy Spirit used Paul to write this to help Timothy pastor Christ’s local church effectively and efficiently. Note that verse 17 speaks that the “elders” (another term for the pastor), especially those who rule well, are to “be counted worthy of double honour.” The word “honor” literally means “compensation.” Thus, if a pastor is doing well, he should be compensated double.

NOW, listen carefully; I am NOT using that text to increase my salary. I am simply sharing God’s Word with you. What you do with it as a church is your responsibility. My responsibility is to preach and teach all of God’s Word. As you will see going forward, there is more responsibility upon my shoulders than yours in many ways. There is much more to come in this chapter.

Conclusion

Let me finish by saying this. It is my honor to be your pastor. I can genuinely say that I am delighted to serve the Lord and minister to you. I appreciate and love you. My simple task is to point out God’s way of doing things. We, as a church, must be committed to living God’s way. Our obligation is obedience to all His commands and principles. The great thing about our God is He has given us everything we need to know right here in His Word. He provides everything right down to the smallest of details. The local church’s responsibility to its pastor is part of those details. One day, if the Lord tarries His return, you will have a new pastor. I will be gone. I must prepare you for that new pastor whenever that day comes. Preaching all of God’s Word helps me do just that. Yes, the pastor’s pay is controversial! It becomes a controversy when man’s way is done and not God’s. I pray that you have seen God’s way as I taught from God’s Word.