Working Ministers

13Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)

Thoughts: The priests in the Temple were told in scripture to receive their payment for doing the Lord's work.  Leviticus speaks of the priests doing the work at the Temple allowing them to eat a portion (Lev. 6:16,18,26).  Numbers mentions that the priests should get a portion of the offerings (Numbers 5:9; 18:8,31).  When ministers/priests/clergy are allowed to get paid for their work full time, it allows them the time and focus they need to answer the calling.  If a minister has a family, then it takes the worry away from doing the Lord's work and still supporting them.  The churches that do not have a full time minister are about half as likely to grow.  The preaching, teaching, and pastoral care cannot be done well, even in a small church, part time.  It is a risky thing for a church to invest in a minister (or a new associate), but when everyone pulls together to get it done,  On the one hand, ministers are not simply hired hands but shepherds who love the sheep.  Ministers should work not for fame or popularity or money.  They will be disappointed in all of those things.  Ministers ultimately work because it is their calling and to glorify and enjoy God. 

Prayer: Lord, raise up ministers who are willing to answer the call and do the work.  

Educated Clergy

3This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas^a ? 6Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living? (1 Corinthians 9:3-6)

Thoughts: The sad thing is that even Paul, as good a theologian, as good a teacher, and one who sacrificed so much to spread the Gospel was opposed strongly.  Paul was saying that he gave his all, even at his own expense, so the Corinthians would believe.
     There has always been a debate about whether ministers should be paid or not.  The Rabbis believed everyone should work for free, but also said that whoever supported a rabbi would earn a comfortable place in heaven.  Mormons and Quakers do not have trained and paid clergy.  Certainly clergy can have all the human qualities that we do not like in humans- pride, selfishness, artificiality.  But clergy can also lead, inspire, organize, and teach.  One seminary professor said, "To those who think education and leadership of clergy does not matter I have one question: 'If you were on the operating table, would you rather have a medical school graduate cutting on you or someone who said they had seen it done once before doing your surgery?'"  

Prayer: Lord, we pray for fair and just leadership in your church.  We also pray that our clergy would listen to you and be true to you.