For many, paying ministers is an accepted practice. In the past, especially at the Corinthian congregation, there were questions about paying ministers. Even now there are congregation that oppose paying a preacher.
Paul addressed the question of paying preachers in 1 Cor. 9. In 1 Cor. 9:7 he offered three arguments on paying preachers. Christians are “soldiers” in the “army of God.” Since secular soldiers are paid when they engage in “warfare” (1 Cor. 9:7), Christians “soldiers” deserve compensation. When a man is a minister he is often on the “front lines” of the battle and he deserves compensation.
A second argument for paying is found in the middle of 1 Cor. 9:7. If a man “plants a vineyard,” does he “not eat the fruit from it”? Yes. The Corinthians would have also recognized this principle and this was a second argument to compensate evangelists.
Paul’s third argument for paying preachers is found at the end of verse 7. If a man “cared for a flock,” he had a right to share in the “milk” that came from these animals. In a similar way ministers work and they deserve to be paid.
How much should evangelists be paid? The Bible does not give a specific amount. However, we can learn from the “golden rule” in Mt. 7:12. If we were a minister, how much would we want to be paid? If we would want a livable salary and our income consistent with that of other members of the congregation, then we should use that guideline when paying preachers today.
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Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.
Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).