The Bible does not teach that "pastors" should be compensated for their work. The title, position, and "office" of the pastor, the one-person ministry that governs the entire local "church," cannot be found anywhere in the New Testament Scriptures. One has to commit eisegesis of the grandest kind and twist Scripture like the Devil in order to impose this concept upon God's Word. Let us look as some of the passages these preachers, theologians, and "scholars" claim teach compensation for "pastors":
"In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:14
"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages (μισθοῦ).”" 1 Timothy 5:17-18
"And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages (μισθοῦ). Do not go from house to house." Luke 10:7 [1-24; "Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road."]
"For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10
"Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." Galatians 6:6
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly [hold them in the highest regard] in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Absolutely nowhere in these verses do we find the mention of money. It is assumed that "wages" infers monetary payment, but pay attention to the context of these passages.
What does 1 Corinthians 9 have to do with? Go ahead, read the entire chapter. Do you find the mention of money found anywhere in this chapter? What things stand out while you are reading? "Do we not have a right to eat and drink?" and "For it is written in the Law of Mosess, 'YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.'" Where is the concept of monetary gain derived from the words "is it too much if we reap material things from you"? Where is there mention of monetary payment in the words "those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel"? When Jesus sent out the 12 and the 70, he said, "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, . . . for the worker is worthy of his support," "...eating and drinking what they give you" and "eat what is set before you." This passage speaks of eating and drinking, too.
What about 1 Timothy 5:17-18? Is there any mention there about monetary payment for preaching the Gospel? No, no there is not! What does it mean to be "considered worthy of double honor"? Well, it surely does not having anything to do with monetary gain. Peter addresses this pretty clearly: Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (1 Peter 5:1-4). It seems pretty clear to me what Peter is saying: "Shepherd the flock of God . . . not for shameful gain." What does Peter warn about later? "...in their greed they will exploit you..." (2 Peter 2:2-3). What does Paul tell Timothy? That men "suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (1 Timothy 6:3-5). Preachers today will attempt to tell you that "double honour" means that whoever earns the most money in the church, the pastor should be earning twice as much. So if an electrician is earning $100,000/year, the pastor should earn $200,000/year. Not only is this unbiblical, and Scripture twisting, but it is also highway robbery!
In looking at Luke 10:7-9, what is the first thing that stands out to you? "...eating and drinking what they give you" and "eat what is set before you." So this passage is concerned with food and drink as wages for proclaiming the Gospel. In a similar passage, it reads: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support" (Matthew 10:8-10). The labourer of the Gospel is worthy of his support, but it has nothing to do with money.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10, what things stand out to you? "...nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it" and "if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either." Again, in connection with wages for the Gospel, food is mentioned. And what do we find in between these two verses? "...not because we do not have the right to this..." What do they have the right to? What did he just say? "...nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it." What does he say in the end? "...if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."
Where in Galatians 6:6 is there any mention of monetary payment for a minister of the Gospel? You have to read such a concept into the text, which is the performance of eisegesis! It is amazing how so many preachers who claim to preach the Bible verse-by-verse, line-by-line, precept-by-precept, fail to explain these passages correctly according to their context. It is more amazing how they can willfully take all these passages and force them to support their wages. If these ministers were honest with the Word of God, they would have to get a real job and work for a living like everybody else! Yet ignorant individuals within the church still think it is okay to steal money from the needy, the widows, the fatherless, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned, in order to line the preacher's pocket.
Here are a couple other passages that "pastors" rip out of their immediate context and twist like the Devil in order to fleece the flock:
"Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship." Acts 20:17-38"Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me." 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 [A collection for the Christians in Jerusalem]
"Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. [A collection for the Christians in Jerusalem]
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Does Acts 20:33-35 have anything to do with paying a minister of the Gospel? No, it does not. Not in the least. The lesson is found in the final sentence: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This has nothing to do with money. Paul was speaking to the Ephesian elders when he said this . . . to them. He left his life as an example to them. Paul worked with his own hands, building tents, to provide for his needs and the needs of those with him. Paul said, "I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus," which were, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." What did Jesus say in Matthew 10:8? "Freely you received, freely give."
First Corinthians 16 and 2 Corinthians 9 ought to be clear enough from their context. This was a collection being sent to the Jerusalem congregation that was struggling through a famine and enduring the persecution of the Jews. Yet preachers heartily twist these passages into "Give me your money" messages. Where do you see mention of money in either of these passages? What good is money in the midst of a famine?
These are the passages favoured by the majority of Bible teachers who fleece the flock for their own gain. This is not including the various extremely over-the-top eisegeted passages used by the false teachers of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel, which is no gospel at all. They will rip verses from the Old Testament out of their immediate context and force them to have something to do with giving them money.
Passages like Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:25 and Malachi 3:10 have nothing to do with Christians! 1 Kings 17:10-15 and Luke 6:38 are examples of classic Scripture twisting to impose something upon the text that simply is not there. Other passages twisted by these perverted of mind who desire dishonest gain are 2 Timothy 2:6 and Acts 6:2.
Let us take a look at what it was that Jesus had to say on this issue:
"And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Luke 9:1-6
"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town." Matthew 10:5-15"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages (μισθοῦ). Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. " Luke 10:1-12
When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, and then the seventy disciples after that, He told them not to take any money with them on the journey. At no point did He tell them to receive money from people. He told them to remain in whatever house will accept them and to eat and drink whatever is placed before them. Why? Because "the laborer deserves his wages," or rather "support."
How about what Paul said:
"Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." 1 Timothy 6:2c-10
"For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. ... What then is my reward (μισθός)? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:9-18"Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support (ὀψώνιον) from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way." 2 Corinthians 11:7-9
"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:15-19
In 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, the word translated as "wages" in some translations is opsonion (ὀψώνιον), which means "whatever is bought to be eaten with bread, as fish, flesh, and the like. And as corn, meat, fruits, salt, were given to soldiers instead of pay" (Thayer's Greek Lexicon). "It primarily signifies whatever is bought to be eaten with bread, provisions, supplies for a soldier's pay" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament). In other words, a soldier's rations. It is a derivative of opsarion (ὀψάριον), which means "whatever is eaten with bread, especially food boiled or roasted; hence specifically, fish" (Thayer's); "which meant whatever in general is eaten with bread, but later came to be applied particularly to fish (TCWSDNT). Compare this passage with every other one we have looked at, and will look at, and tell me what is in view here. Money or food?
The Philippian church sent gifts several times to aid Paul in the administration of the Gospel. Where does it ever state that these gifts were monetary? When you examine "tithing" in the Old Testament, not once does it have anything to do with money. It always has to do with food. In the New Testament, it appears the preaching of the Gospel and the wages in return has to do with the same!
What about what Peter said:
"[S]hepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful [dishonest] gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2-3
It is pretty interesting that most of the passages used above tend to have something to do with food and drink as wages for one's labour. It is also pretty interesting how the only time money is related to ministers is in regard to false teachers. But then again, every preacher who attempts to teach that "tithing" is a biblical requirement is a false teacher. Either they are ignorant and have not done their Bible study very accurately, which means they have failed to fulfilled 2 Timothy 2:15, or they are willfully deceiving the flock by telling them what they know not to be so. In either case, they are unfit to teach.
The early Christians believed it to be heresy to receive money for the preaching of the Gospel. Early Christians, including the apostles, believed and emphasized that the Gospel should be freely shared and preached without charge. This belief reflected and stemmed from Jesus' own example and teachings, which encouraged selflessness and service. The early Congregation was wary of practices that could exploit believers for financial gain. This concern was rooted in the belief that the Gospel's integrity could be compromised by monetary motivations.
“But if anyone says, ‘I am a prophet,’ and wants to dwell among you, let him be accepted, but if he seeks to take money, he is a false prophet.” —The Didache
This early Christian text advises against false prophets who seek money, indicating that those who preach for profit bring heresy into the church."But the true teacher is he who teaches without the hope of gaining anything from it, be it money or fame; and not one who seeks his own profit through teaching." —Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor
In his writings, Clement emphasizes that the true teacher should not seek financial gain and warns against those who distort the teachings for profit, suggesting that such practices are heretical.“The church is not a public market for profit where the grace of God is sold.” —Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics
Tertullian criticized those who monetized their ministries, stating that the grace of God should be freely given and not sold, reinforcing the idea that financial gain from preaching could lead to heretical teachings.
These quotations illustrate how early Christian leaders articulated their views on the dangers of monetary gain in ministry, collectively supporting the view that early Christians considered it heretical to seek monetary compensation for the preaching of the Gospel, emphasizing a commitment to purity in ministry.
Not only is the position of "pastor" unbiblical, but so too is the concept of paying him to deliver you a message. This practice originated with the Greek Sophists, and was established by Emperor Constantine shortly after he built temples for Christians to worship in (a practice we have retained ever since, despite the early believers having no such buildings for the first 300 years of its existence). And your "church" claims to "do everything by the Book"? They need to spend some time examining what the Book actually teaches, because much of their practices cannot be found in, let alone substantiated by, the Book.
By the way, Paul's talk about wages had nothing to do with "pastoring" a church. It had to do with the function of apostles who traveled and planted churches. How often did Paul remain with a church before moving on? How much time passed before he saw these churches again, if he ever saw them again? Spend some time researching this. It will benefit you immensely. Let the truth set you free from the shackles that have been placed upon you.