When a gospel preacher writes or speaks about the need for the church to support the preaching of the gospel, there is always the possibility that some will question the preacher’s motive in bringing up such a subject. Some may even turn "a deaf ear" to any lesson on this topic. Those that love the truth, however, receive such a lesson with the same honest and good heart that they receive any other message that is true to the Bible.

Rest assured that the church needs to be educated about its responsibilities. Shepherds have the duty of tending the local flock of God, seeing to it that the members receive proper spiritual nutrition (Acts 20:28). What are evangelists charged to do with the inspired instructions of the Bible? By the Spirit Paul told Timothy to "command and teach" them (1 Timothy 4:11). Every faithful preacher of the word strives to present "all the counsel of God" in his preaching and teaching (Acts 20:27). A call to support the preaching of the gospel is part of God’s teaching for the church, so Christians need to hear about it.

It is scriptural to provide financial support to those that preach the gospel. When Jesus sent His apostles to preach only to the Jews, He told them that "the workman is worthy of his meat" (Matthew 10:10). Jesus later spoke similar words when He sent 70 disciples out to preach, telling them that "the labourer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:7). Paul addressed this topic when he wrote to the church of God in Corinth, saying, "For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that readeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things . . . Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:9-11,14). What is the point? Just as, according to the teaching of the Law of Moses, an ox was to be fed when he was working, it is proper for a preacher of the gospel to receive support in order to live his life and do his work. For an evangelist to "live of the gospel" means for him to be properly compensated for his work of preaching.

In Galatians 6:6 it is further written, "Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches" [NKJV]. All of these passages make it plain that it is proper for the church to provide material/financial support for those that preach the gospel, and by the same reasoning, show that it is appropriate for the evangelist to receive such support. When the apostle Paul made his first trip to Corinth, what did he do there? He said, "I have preached to you [Corinthians, rdc] the gospel of God freely" (2 Corinthians 11:7). At that time he was providing for his material needs by making tents (Acts 18:3). Later, though, churches of Macedonia sent assistance to Paul. He called what they gave him "wages" (2 Corinthians 11:8). The churches supplied the wages, which was proper to do, and Paul took or received those wages, which was also appropriate.

Some members of the church object to preachers being paid. What objections do some saints raise to the idea of a congregation financially supporting a gospel preacher? Some have suggested, "A preacher really should not be paid wages. He should be willing to do it for nothing. Look at how some other religions operate. Their priests or religious leaders work with little or no pay." Question: To say that preachers should not be paid, is this the wisdom of men or wisdom of God? We just noted what Jesus said about it (Matthew 10; Luke 10) and what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write about it (1 Corinthians 9; Galatians 6). The Lord’s wisdom says that the laborer IS worthy of his hire.

Some think, "A preacher is only a hireling: he only preaches in order to take the church’s money." There may be some brothers that do preach just for money. If so, they will have to give account of that to the Lord. I believe that I have met some of them. My message to gospel preachers that I have trained is always: "A faithful gospel preacher does not preach in order to live, but rather he lives in order to preach." There is a difference! It is all about attitude and perspective. Some were hirelings in the Old Testament era (Micah 3:11). The abuse of the practice of paying preachers, however, does not change the scriptural principles. Remember, Paul received wages for his preaching efforts (2 Corinthians 11:8,9).

"If a preacher does receive wages from the church, it should be very little. He should sacrifice." I have known a number of evangelists that have sacrificed a lot. Many have given up much better paying jobs in order to preach the good news of salvation. Do brethren properly apply Matthew 7:12 ("the Golden Rule") in the matter of supporting preachers? If a preacher has a family, does he not have the responsibility to provide for it? (1 Timothy 5:8). Of course he does, just like all other Christians do.

How much money should a preacher be paid? No one has the right to bind any amount for every location. How much is his work worth to the Lord’s cause? Is it of great value? How much can a congregation afford to pay him and meet its other responsibilities? How long has he been preaching? How experienced is he? How effective is he? What is the quality of his work? What about his financial needs? Does he have special health problems that require him to pay much money for medicine and/or medical services? The bottom line is, the amount must be decided by each individual local congregation and its preacher(s).

We should provide financial support only to those that preach the truth. We should never feel obligated to support those that will not teach and stand for the truth! Sometimes the leaders of a congregation may feel pressure to help in a certain evangelistic work simply because someone in the congregation has family connections or is a close friend of the one(s) seeking support. Pressure or no pressure, the church is to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), not the supporter of man-made doctrines. If we provide financial support for those that do not teach the doctrine of the Christ, then by our support of them we are bidding Godspeed to error, and the Bible says that this makes us partakers of the evil deeds of those that do not teach the truth (2 John 9-11). Does that not sound serious? The very next book in the Bible says, "We therefore ought to . . . be fellowhelpers to the truth" (3 John 8). We must take every precaution to see that we are "fellowhelpers" or supporters of the truth, not error. The apostle Paul thanked the church at Philippi for its "fellowship in the gospel" (Philippians 1:5). Again, the right message (the gospel), and only the right message, is worthy of our financial support.

We also need to give moral support to those that faithfully proclaim the gospel. When elders refuse to tolerate unscriptural teaching from members of the flock, we need to stand with the elders and let them know how much we appreciate them. When churches speak out against unbiblical practices in our area, we need to let them know how grateful we are for them. When teachers teach it "like it is" to our kids and grandkids about godly living, we ought to express our sincere thanks. And, when gospel preachers faithfully preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), they should be able to count on us to stand behind such preaching.

Aaron and Hur helped hold up the hands of Moses when the children of Israel fought against the Amalekites (Exodus 17). Paul rejoiced to know that he had brothers and sisters in the Lord that stood with him and behind him when he proclaimed the gospel (Philippians 4:3,4). Many great disciples of Jesus do the same today, offering moral support and encouragement to those that faithfully teach the Bible. This is a great boost to God’s soldiers!

Finally, let us all make a special effort to support the preaching of the gospel by "talking up" every effort that our congregation makes to teach the word, whether it be in public Bible classes, via radio programs, distribution of literature, supporting evangelists in other locations, gospel meetings, or other means. Jesus wants His people to spread His gospel. May each of us be ready and willing to support this great work in every way possible.