How Much Should Christian Workers Be Paid?
“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially who’s 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.”
Quiz: What percent of American pastors work part-time jobs because of inadequate compensation?
10%
25%
80%
The answer is 80%, and it is higher in African-American churches.12 Similarly, in Africa and Asia, most pastors cannot survive without side employment. “Poor as a church mouse” is a proverb. But where is it written that Christian leaders should be paid poorly? One church board deliberately paid its pastor less than the salary of the lowest paid board member.
There are exceptions. Some churches pay their pastors extravagantly since they believe it demonstrates God’s blessing.
The Bible doesn’t give specifics about paying Christian workers, but eight words from our passage today reveal a counter-cultural guideline. Fasten your seatbelt.
Rule well, work hard: A first-grade student was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. He replied, “I want to be a preacher at church. I’d only have to work one hour per week.”
The church at Ephesus had grown to the point of needing ruling elders and preaching elders—who surely worked more than one hour per week. Paul doesn’t say all elders should receive double honor—only those who rule well or work hard at preaching and teaching.
This is a reminder to pastors and mission-workers. Being called to ministry does not give you permission to be lackadaisical. Are you ruling well? Do you work hard? Those who support you work hard!
Double honor. The Greek word is timao, a financial term meaning “price or value.” Timao does not mean “rhetorical honor.” Presenting your leaders with plaques at banquets does not atone for paying them poorly.
The exact meaning of double honor is a mystery. It might refer to paying double what church widows at Ephesus were paid for their informal part-time ministry (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Though undefined, the implication is clear: Be generous to those who work hard in ministry.
Scripture says.
It is not merely Paul’s opinion that pastors should be paid well. He quotes Moses and Jesus to punctuate his exhortation—and he calls their words Scripture. Notice that Paul equates Jesus’ words as Scripture along with the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 25:4 commanded the Jews not to muzzle their oxen as they walked in circles threshing out grain (separating the grain from the stalks). Let them dip their heads down to munch some grain. This verse is also quoted in our kitchen to justify pre-dinner sampling.
And then Paul quotes Jesus from Luke 10:7—”The laborer is worthy of his wages.” When Jesus sent the Twelve and the Seventy to minister in the cities of Israel, they were to inquire for hosts to support them. Though inexperienced in ministry, the disciples were worthy of their wages.
If you are a gospel minister who works hard, this passage affirms you—whatever double honor means, you are worthy of it! Unfortunately, some missionaries are too timid to go after a full budget. And some pastors hesitate to ask for a much-needed raise.
If you are in ministry as a career, how would your work be better if you had adequate pay? How would your home life be better if you had adequate pay? Your pay is not about you—its is about the advancement of the gospel.
My friend, if you support missionaries, be generous. If you serve on a mission committee, this passage exhorts you to pay God’s messengers generously. And that includes your pastor!
PRAYER: Father of all, the religious culture is squeamish about discussing ministry and money. Help me speak up for the generous support of Your workers. And help me to be generous to the gospel workers You have put in my world. Amen.
Excerpt From “What the Bible Actually Says About Money -31 Meditations” by Scott Morton
