FW: Supporting the man of God
Posted by: lbrown <lbrown@...>
I agree with the other Brother's comments. I feel that when you
answer the call to preach the word of God, He's going to take care of
your needs. Just as Moses lead the children of Israel thru the desert
they were dependent on God to meet their need. And I believe that God
will me our need also when it comes to finances. If we are blessed to
pastor full time or have to work a secular job, God will provide. I
think the main thing is that you pay your tithes to the church. As
the bible says, "Bring your tithes into the storehouse and watch God
open the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings that your not
able to contain. Brother just be sure your following what God would
have you to do.
In the Master's service,
Bro. Danny L. Brown
---- Original Message ----
From: thepreacherman@charter.net
To: pastormail@welovegod.org
Subject: FW: [PastorMail] Supporting the man of God
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 09:52:10 -0400
I ordained a minister some years ago and he began to pay his tithes
to me.
Man I really felt guilty about receiving them. I told him that he did
not
have to pay his tithes to me ,but he could tithe to the church if he
choose
to. Of course he said that this is what the Lord was instructing him
to do,
so I accepted them but not comfortably.
I had been praying to the Lord with the question, " Why are the people
paying tithes and giving in the offerings and yet they are still
struggling
financially?" Well I attended the 21st Century Ministry Conference on
last
week and the Lord gave me the answer.The reason I could accept the
teaching
that Dr. Dale Allison taught on Biblical Order was because someone
else had
already sown that seed in me and I had been in prayer concerning the
matter, therefore when I heard his teachings, it was just water on a
seed
that was already planted.
This may sound strange to some.Yet, some will accept it and apply it,
but
there are others who will not believe or accept it. Nevertheless, the
truth
is not based on whether we accept it or not.The truth is the truth
simply
because it's God's Word. Sometimes we hear certain truths that we are
not
accustom to hearing or even understand the principle of that truth,
when we
do, we are so quick to right it off as being wrong or not accepting
it to
mean what it really means. However, if we enter into the Scripture and
prayer with an opened heart and mind, the Lord can and will speak to
us
concering the matter,but if we've already made up our minds that we
are not
going to accept that truth, then there isn't much anyone can do.
The Apostle Paul knew that this day would come because he dealt with
it in
his day, i.e. the day when tithes and offerings would become an issue
in the
church. It shouldn't be because the Scripture were given as a
guideline to
aide us.
Paul said in 1 Tim. 5:17-18 Let the elders who "rule well" be counted
worthy
of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
For the
scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
corn.
And the laborer is worthy of his reward.
First I believe that the "elder" must be in charge, I believe that he
must
be functioning as a pastor and not a preacher who has a position in
the
church. He must be also feeding the flock of God what they need and
not what
they want. The word "rule"( proistemi) is a general word meaning to
oversee,
supervise, and look after.
And secondly, I believe that his walk must match his message. The
person who
rules well must be the person who have given himself or herself to the
services of seeking the Lord to get fresh manner from on high as well
as
supervising the business affairs of the church. This elder is worthy
of
double honor.
"Honor" (time) means more than just esteem and respect. It means to
pay and
bestow what is due. A minister is due an honorarium; he should be
paid for
his diligent study and preparation for a sermon or lesson taught, if
he
performs his duty well and labor in preparational work. Those who
study know
the hours and days it take to prepare for preaching or teaching, not
to
mention revival or conference. If you think that he's only worth
$.50, then
give him $1.00. Double pay means adequate, amble, sufficient,and
generous
financial support.
There's another thing I would like to add to the elder who rules
well, "He
has temperance, he's not greedy, he knows when to stop or say no. He
will
not strip a church of all its means of survival."
So Paul used the ox as an example. The pastor that rules well should
not be
put on a salary.
And at the same token Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 that those
who work
for the ministry should be supported by the ministry. Read the
chapter,
because I'm not a typist I'll just type certain verses to make my
point.
As you all know there were those in the Corinthian church who did not
like
Paul or his message, so they were out to destroy his character. That
is what
lies behind the message of this chapter. Some had claimed that Paul
was not
truly an apostle, and others had claimed that he was living off of
church
funds. In defense Paul says to the Corinthians, no matter what's
being said
ye are my proof, many of you were saved through my ministry.
Paul used the word "power" (exoosia), throughout this passage it means
authority or right.
In verse 5, he ask the question although we know he was not married
at this
time, " Do we not have the right to have traveling with us a sister?"
i.e. a
Christian woman, most likely a female deacon, i.e. a deaconess but
not a
male deacon's wife as we have been misled to believe.Can we not have
a wife,
that is, to care for and provide for them as Peter and the other
Apostles
are doing?
In verse 6, Paul and Barnabas had been working to support themselves
and
Paul wanted to know, do we not have the right to be supported by the
church
as the others are?
Paul asked a questions in verse 7, using the soldier, farmer and
shepherd
as examples: what soldier goes to war at his own expense? What farmer
plants
his own vineyard and does not eat of the fruit? What shepherd feeds
a flock
and does not eat of the milk of the flock?
The pastor and his family have to eat and be clothe, therefore it is
the
churches responsibility to see to it that he is able to provide for
his
family. It's dangerous enough talking about caring for the pastor,
but the
church is suppose to care for the wife as well.
In verse 8 Paul says although I am speaking as a man and gave human
illustrations in verse 7, it is not necessary because the Scripture
backs up
what I say, verse 9= (Deut.25:4).
Verse 10 is very interesting because the Lord knew that this would be
an
issue this very day and time, so He inspires Paul to write it here
for those
who labor in the ministry. Yes we do work for and depend on the Lord
for our
provision. It is our hope that He provide for us. Although He do use
the
church to provide for us, we don't want to fall into the same
category as
the priesthood did and stop serving because the people wasn't doing
what
they were suppose to be doing.
Verse 11 is a question that shouldn't have to be asked, "If we have
sown
unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing that we shall reap your
carnal things?"
Neither should we have to pomp and prier people to give and support
those
who rule well. Selfishness is the reason why people don't give as they
should. Tithing and offerings should be given because we are thankful
for
what the Lord has already done. We should give out of a heart of
thankfulness and servanthood and not give out of an obligation or
servitude. Another reason people don't give and support the man of
God as
they should is because they don't value their souls. If their
spiritual man
was as valuable to them as their flesh was they would support the
preacher just like
they support their clothing designers and grocery suppliers etc.
Paul's question was if we have ministered in to your spirit spiritual
things is it so hard for you to support us financially.
Verse 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things
live
of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are
partakers
with the altar?
Verse 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the
gospel
should live of the gospel.
If these verses had been taught years ago, we probably wouldn't be
having
such a hard time getting people to receive them now. However, the
subject is
in the Word of God and the only way the people will be convicted in
this
area is that they must be taught.
The pastor has the right to be the first person supported by the
church.
There's a difference between supporting someone and paying someone.
The
support of the pastor is not to be abused by the church or the pastor.
Verse 15 lets us know that a minister has aright to receive wages or
not,
it's his choice.
The Lord Himself has ordained that the preacher or pastor live of, "or
rather live by the support of them who receive the gospel. "This is
the
supreme authority, the Lord Himself demanded it; if a man preaches
the
gospel, he is to live of the gospel, (1 Cor. 9:14).
May the Lord bless you as you continue in the right direction,
thepreacherman, Pastor Richard Magby
Spread the Word Ministries
PS Why was the tithe brought to the storehouse?
Why was there a need for meat in the storehouse?