“Most average people don’t quite get what paying the pastor has to do with the Spirit-filled life. Paul addresses this topic head on. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Galatians 6:6
[Here] he reminds his readers of their responsibility to support those tho teach them the Word…To neglect this would be to squeeze off the gospel at its source…Studying and teaching the Word of God takes time and discipline. Staff pastors, whether they preach each Sunday or lead a ministry or serve in an administrative role, shouldn’t have to work two jobs in order to make ends meet…
Part of a believer’s spiritual responsibility is to share his or her abundance with those who work hard in the church. As the pastor shares spiritual wealth with his flock, the flock should share material goods…In the grace-oriented, Spirit-filled church, pastor and congregation are to look out for one another, bearing each other’s burdens.”
Charles R. Swindoll in Insights on Galatians, Ephesians (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012) excerpt from notes on Galatians 6:6.
Many people today don’t give to their local church because they don’t like what they see their local church spending money on. Common complaints include: “They are spending too much on buildings!” or “The church is inward-focused on programs for members and not outward-focused on reaching a lost world.” or “They don’t care about the poor!”
Sound familiar? If so, I urge you to find a local church where God’s resources are spent on paying a pastor(s), making Christ known, and caring for the poor and needy. Let’s attend such churches and not “muzzle the ox” (1 Timothy 5:18) but rather support our spiritual leaders so that they can focus on equipping the saints for works of service.
Today I am in meetings in Chicago with EFCA pastors and TIU/TEDS leaders in Chicago. Thankfully the occasion is to discuss the opportunity for pastors to receive generous foundation grants to help those they serve grow in the integration of faith, work, and economics. Gotta take care of our pastors!
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