Expert: LEBoyd - 8/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Boyd,

 Hello sir. I am excited to resume dialog with you once more. This is a question I have pondered for quite sometime now, and have not received an answer yet. I pray you are able to help me better understand this particular question. Does Gal 6:6 commission the saints or anyone for that matter to pay the preacher for his or her gift in servicing the body of Christ? I have also heard pastors quote Paul in saying " If you reap from our spiritual things, is it not right that we should reap your carnal things " and again, do not muzzle the mouth of the ox or something similar to that, as well as the workman is surely worthy of his reward. Now, I am not against supporting a pastor for their service in laboring in the gospel, but am I commanded to pay them for their service? That just doesn't sound right to me. I don't recall ever seeing Jesus saying anything like that in the gospels. Thank you in advance.

ANSWER: Zacchai,

Why does it not sournd right to you?  There's more to the NT than the gospel.  We are commanded to give each week (1 Cor 16) and the elders of the church are commanded to manage the funds as the see appropriate for the benefit of strengthing the congregation and spreading the gospel.  So, you may not be commanded to give directly to a preacher, but if the elders deem this is appropriate, than there's no problem with it.

As I've said before, if you are not attending a congregation that is organized like the church of the NT, then maybe that's the problem.  If your "pastor" is the only one in control, then this is not Scriptural.

Hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the previous answer. It seems to me that Paul was making a direct request, rather than a continuing command, as stated - as the Lord has prospered you. That would seem to compliment his position on giving, as the Lord has prospered you and you have purposed in your heart which is found in the gospel also. Am i mistaking?

Answer
I'm not sure I understand.

In general, we see giving as follows:
1st, give yourself to the Lord (read II Cor 7-9)
2nd, give every Lord's day (I Cor 16 is our example)
3rd, give as you are prospered (don't give too little - Read Malachi 2)
4th, give as you have purposed in your heart (take the time to seriously consider your giving)

That's it.  God gave you everything.  Now that you have accepted His Son and been immerised, you have chosen to make your self a slave to righteousnes (Read all of Rom 6).  With the acceptance of that free gift, what do you want to give back as a "thank you"?

Unfortunately, sometimes the funds aren't used wisely and that's ashame.  But, that shouldn't be used as an excuse to stop your giving.

As far as Paul making a request vs. a command, what can we learn from that example?  Namely, that it is fine and acceptable for a congregation to pay a preacher.

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I must say that through our exchanges, I have the distinct feeling that you are extrememly displeased with the congregation with which you meet, as well as with the preacher.  I believe this is because you have studied the Scriptures to a point of understanding more about what the 1st century church/body is suppose to be - and you don't see it where you currently worship.  Where you currently worship, I sense there is one "bishop", that he is too proud, that he attempts to tell you what to believe without referring to Scripture and that it is managed and controlled by another organization or denomination.

If this is true, then you really do need to seek out a congregation that is Scriptural.  Of course, because we are all human, we may or may not get along with everyone and we may or may not agree on things that are tradition not Scripture, but those are minor issues because they are not Scriptural issue.  So, you don't have to agree with everything, you just have to meet with and join a group of Christians that are Scriptural.

I know that you know what the Scriptures teach and that you have the ability to recognize a Scritural body.  Therefore, I task you to find one.  If you can't, tell me what city you are in and I'll try to find one for you.