Now, what does one do about supporting the ministry? Is that a biblical mandate? The simple answers are, do everything you can to support the ministry and yes, it is a biblical mandate. Please review all of
1 Corinthians 9.
While Paul was ministering among the churches, he seldom revived any direct support for his work, and when he was in prison he received financial support and also personal, moral support. The fact that he was not always taking handouts from the congregations was because he thought to take responsibility for supporting himself and those who were part of his ministry team. A noble position. It is important, however, to note that Paul never solicited a tithe from anyone – at any time. As I noted earlier, because doing so would have violated God’s Law. Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin, not of Levi.
Does this apply to Gentiles? In a way, yes. Gentiles are grafted into the seed of Abraham (
Romans 11) and adopted into the tribe of Judah (
Galatians 4:5), remembering that Jesus is now our brother and He carries the title, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Yet, all of this is another bible study. Yet, as you can see, Jesus was also prohibited from asking for or receiving a tithe. Further, if God in the flesh was not authorized to take a tithe to support His ministry (to violate His own Law would be a transgression of the Law and would be counted as sin), how much more would it be for one of us today?
So, from what stand point are we to support ‘the ministry’? If our teachers had studied
1 Corinthians 9 carefully, it would not be a question for examination.
If there is any contention concerning the support of those whose calling it is to preach the gospel, let him read these passages and be instructed. Even so, the Church of Rome c 350 AD instituted a tithing system unknown to the Jews, or by God, in order to support its own established priesthood and building programs. This act not only provided for the support of Rome’s priests, it also placed the saints in bondage to them. Today, in many churches one cannot (is not allowed) to exercise their God given gifting and calling within the congregation unless and until that saint continues to pay a spiritual tribute (a carnal bribe) to the senior priest (pastor).
The real question is, who among ‘the ministry’ is authorized to receive congregational support? Sometimes what is not included in scripture is as important as what is included.
Please consider the entire works of the new Covenant writings. There is no indication that anyone elevated to a leadership position within a local assembly was authorized to quite work, retire, and live off the saints of that assembly. Also see
2 Thessalonians 3. Now, here is where it gets sticky.
Those who are identified as worthy of support are those who preach the gospel – and travel in meeting the requirements of their calling, not those who live and work locally. The apostles (the sent out ones) and evangelists, and as may be required, prophets will require support because they generally do not have the means of plying a trade or profession ‘on the road’ to support themselves. Is it only the fact that these individuals travel that makes them eligible for congregational support? By no means.
Question: Who is authorized to receive support? Those who preach the gospel – on the road. Who preaches the gospel? Apostles and evangelists, and to a lesser extent, prophets. But what about pastors and teachers? Should they go ‘on the road’ for a season, then they too are included. (
Romans 10:13-18) But, while sharing the gospel is the responsibility of every saint, it is not their ‘calling’. Being a living epistle of Christ is (another Bible study). Local elders (that includes pastors) and teachers are not ‘called’ to preach the gospel, but like the saints, they are ‘called’ to share the reason for their hope (
1 Peter 3:15). Surprised? They are, however, ‘called and ordained’ to edify, teach, guide, correct, and encourage the assembly of saints and to lead them into the spiritual maturity of their own callings and ministries.
The preaching of the gospel to those who have already heard it, responded to it, and is practicing the requirements of it, is foolishness! It is like giving an aspirin to a patient for a headache – they recovered from, yesterday! Hearing the gospel is NOT what they need and require. It is guidance in biblical righteousness, learning how to live an over coming life of faith. Being taught the fundamentals of spiritual warfare, etc. That is, to move on from the milk of the word to the meat of the word. This we do not do! And in our failure, we keep the saints of God as children, never maturing and never growing up into their gifting and calling, rather, they remain dependent on the ‘man of God’. (Yes, who is the man of God is another Bible study), never realizing that it is they, who are the men and women of God that Paul is referring to. (See
1 Tim 3:16-17 as a starting point.)
Closing remarks.
Do the math.
A congregation consisting of 10 tithers making an average of $20,000 per year. That is a congregational income of $200,000 per year. Or, a tithe of $20,000 per year given to the pastor. If he is not working at a speculator job, that provides his with the same average income as the congregation.
If he should have 20 tithers making the same $20,000 per year, the tithe doubles and the pastor now receive $40,000 per year. Fifty tithers nets the pastor $100,000 per year income. That is five times more than the average church member – plus whatever he might make on the ‘outside’ job, while the congregation he is called to ‘serve’ continues to bring in their $20,000 per year – and who are also expected to pay their living expenses and taxes out of this sum (tithes are taxed differently than regular income), along with church upkeep, the mortgage (if any), utilities, etc. There is no biblical principle of any kind that supports this practice. This is a statement you can trust: Number do matter! ‘Sheep stealing’ almost becomes a capital offense among churches because we are talking about some real money resources here (not souls that belong to God alone).
Finally, this offering is just an over view of the subject, and should not be taken as the ‘final word’ (completed doctrine). While I do not recommend doing word searches using only English terms, in this case it might be helpful to at least start with words like tithe, tithed, tithes, and tithing, including the word, tenth. If available, use a good lexicon rather than a dictionary to get the meaning of the different usages. Lexicons will provide more information concerning a specific word and its usage in different verses than a dictionary will.
Another thing to keep in mind is that there are no ‘stand alone’ passages in the Bible. The Book is an integrated work. So, when you start pulling on verses to see what they say and mean, you will also be pulling in additional verses to study – sometimes addressing what seem to be a different subject altogether. But, continue to pull and to study, seek the connection and understanding.
Shalom Aleichem
Peace be Unto You
Re: Tithing is a consecration, not a commandment
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