Financially Supporting Your Church and Pastor IS Scriptural

[KingJ]

I do not believe Christians are under the Old Testament tithe system as Israel was under the Mosaic Law. However, that does NOT mean Christians should become stingy, selfish, or financially disconnected from the local church they fellowship with.

The New Testament absolutely teaches financial support for ministers, churches, and Christian workers.

Pastors in full-time ministry should not have to beg for support while spending their lives serving, teaching, counselling, studying scripture, helping families, evangelizing, and caring for the church.

Scripture says:

Luke 10:7 “For the labourer is worthy of his hire.”

1 Timothy 5:17-18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine... The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Paul directly teaches that those ministering spiritually may receive material support:

1 Corinthians 9:13-14 “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

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

The early church also financially supported ministry and believers in need:

Acts 2:44-45 “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

That is the balance:

• not forced legalism,
• not manipulation,
• not prosperity gospel greed,
• but willing, cheerful, consistent support.

A healthy church requires resources:

• paying bills,
• helping the poor,
• supporting missions,
• maintaining the building,
• funding ministry,
• and supporting those working faithfully in it.

Christians should not view giving as “paying God,” but as supporting the work of God and caring for the body they are part of.

If a believer is regularly fed spiritually, helped, encouraged, taught, and cared for through a church community, it is entirely biblical and honorable for them to contribute financially toward that ministry.

 

[KingJ]

@Twistie said For we are not like many, [acting like merchants] peddling God’s word [shortchanging and adulterating God’s message]; but from pure [uncompromised] motives, as [commissioned and sent] from God, we speak [His message] in Christ in the sight of God.

We are also told not to be a burden..
A pastor who is Truly of God
1. Will not want payment to speak of the Word
2. Will make sure "his"congregation is straight before feeding himself n his pockets..haven't seen none of them in yrs have you?..
3.will not be owning buildings and slapping a name on it because he knows the people are the church n the Lords Church has no walls
4. Understanding that he is a brother to all that come to him n understand he is no better then the next..
5. He will know all his brothers n sisters names that come to him..

The job of a shepherd a true one is to feed n protect the sheep that have been given to him not to exploit n make them bring burdens to him for repeating words that a grown person can read for themselves..

Tho the blind just throws their money in pockets that have holes .

Let the blind guides alone they are there to lead the blind its written

Hope all well
┌⁠(⁠・⁠。⁠・⁠)⁠┘⁠♪

@joestue said - I dont believe the modern concept of a church is at all what God intended. Can there be public christian events? Sure. But every sunday morning and a half million dollar budget?