This article is one that actually is long overdue, especially with many of the things that I post on this website regarding things that are happening within churches that are not biblical. I want to provide a disclaimer from the very beginning that this article will perhaps challenge some of the beliefs that you have held dear regarding believers being able to make money as they carry out their service to God. But I challenge us to consider what the Bible has to say and to see the example that Paul himself set in regards to this topic.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
(Matthew 23:8-10 - KJV)

I want to always remind us that we are simply brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Biblically, there is no such thing as clergy-laity (check out CHRISTIANITY VS CHURCHIANITY SERIES: CLERGY-LAITY) and no such thing as another human being who has ownership over your spiritual life. We are all brothers and sisters in the faith and those who are elders are merely like older brothers and sisters. It is important for us to realize these things because it then allows us to see if the merchandising that is going on in the churches today is warranted or out of alignment in regards to what a true family of brothers and sisters should be like.

Families are known for sharing things with one another free of charge and they support one another in other to provide for each other’s needs. Would you charge your own brother money in order to care for him and bless him or is that something that you would just do because he is your brother? By the same token, we as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ should minister and bless each other without having to charge a price or a salary for those services. Do you ever read of Jesus, Peter or the other disciples charging for preaching, healings or other things that were meant to be given freely?

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
(Matthew 10:8 - KJV)

Did Jesus charge us money in order to receive salvation? Were the disciples going around and charging people money in order to be healed or to have demons cast out? No, there was no charge. They did it freely as true ministers and did not expect anything in return for the service rendered.

In our society, to be an elder (pastor) has become a vocation that has a salary attached to it. Musicians fall under this too in that their music that supposedly is of glory to Christ is delivered through concert ticket prices. Callings have become vocations and as a result are no longer simply callings but have become a means to make money and in some cases to live a lavish lifestyle. Yet God’s way provides a better solution in that when people ministered, the hearts of people ministered to were many times moved to bless those ministers freely of their own will.

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
(Matthew 10:9-13 - KJV)

Before we tackle some of the scriptures used to support elders and musicians taking a salary off the backs of other believers, pay attention to the above passage. Should brothers and sisters who go out and minister have their needs (food, clothing, shelter) provided for? Indeed, but this shouldn’t just be the case for elders but for all brothers and sisters because remember that we are a family. No matter what one’s gift is, those who have more than enough should help those who have less than enough. In no way are believers required by Christ to provide luxuries for others and that’s what we do when we buy these books, CD’s, DVD’s and contribute to this billion dollar religious marketplace that makes the rich richer and doesn’t deal with the poor among us. It’s simply the necessities that we provide for one another and remember this as we continue in this article.

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
(1 Timothy 5:17-19 - NASB)

This is one of the proof texts that is used in order to try and make people believe that giving elders salaries is biblical. But this is not talking about a salary. The phrase “The laborer is worthy of his wages,” can be found elsewhere in scripture and actually are the words of Jesus Himself. Take a look at Luke 10:

Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;
(Luke 10:3-8 - NASB)

In what context is the phrase used? It is used in the context of providing food,drink and shelter for those who are traveling and doing the work of the ministry. Is there any hint towards a salary or merchandising here? Indeed not. For the understanding was that if there were brothers and sisters traveling and doing the work of ministry, their NEEDS should be taken care by other brothers and sisters, just like a true family would do so. This is the context in which Paul is stating the phrase “the laborer is worthy of his wages” in 1 Timothy 5.

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 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? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
(1 Corinthians 9:6-12- KJV)

Is Paul talking about a salary or having the needs of those traveling and who are really out there ministering taken care of? There were people during Paul’s days that committed themselves totally to ministering and traveling the known world in order to bless believers. And they were provided for in order to do this. But these people were really ministering, not taking vacations to luxury resorts, not getting together at conferences to plan their next business moves. Indeed such people who truly are out there ministry should be provided for. But there is still no merchandising going on.

Now would Paul make himself a burden to others just because he had the right to minister to others full-time? No, he didn’t. Read what he says to the Corinthian church:

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
(2 Corinthians 11:7-11 - KJV)

Paul nor any other apostle would be caught forcing people to give money if they didn’t have it or if they were hesitant to do so for another reason. In 2 Corinthians 9, he told people to give from what they have decided in their own hearts to give. The people of the early church did not use the salesman tactics that are so much a part of church institutions today. Instead, they indicated what they needed and then allowed people to decide in their hearts how they would contribute. And the result:

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
(Acts 4:34-35 - KJV)

There were no book sales, CD sales, DVD sales, seminary costs or pastor salaries being taken during the early church and everyone was still taken care of. It was because people had the attitude of sharing and as everyone shared, everybody’s needs were taken care of. If the early church can do this, then there is no excuse for the marketplace that exists in “Christianity” today.