Money is a sensitive subject to speak on within Christian spaces. However, it is necessary. One of the matters in question by both, church-goers and nonbelievers regarding The Church is funds. That includes clergy pay, tithes and the distribution thereof. "Why does the church want all of my money?" and the sarcastic "If money is the root of all evil, why do churches ask for it?" are complaints and concerns that echo throughout most Christian communities.

It is imperative that we correct flawed doctrine. Money is not evil; the love of money is. Scripture was implying that greed is a destructive force that leads to selfish actions. Loving money leads to situations such as these, questioning if churches and ministers are worthy of receiving it.

The Church does not want all of its members' money. However, it does need some of it. Churches require funds to operate. Just like any other establishment or home, local churches have to pay their bills as well. Not only utilities, but churches also meet the practical needs of their members and those within the local community. Financial support is needed to successfully maintain a church. Contrary to popular belief, the purpose of churches requesting money is not to fund pastor's luxurious lives. Some churches are so small that they can't pay a pastor much, if anything at all. In return, the pastor(s) utilizes his own funds to continue its run. Of course there are many opinionated responses and witty clapbacks to the topic at hand, but the ultimate authority is the Bible. What guidelines does the Bible give concerning ministerial pay?


They who are sent by God and devote their lives to His work should be supported and maintained by their work. The minister is entitled to support and should be supplied with the proper necessities. Therefore, those who benefit from the minister's work are not at liberty to withhold what is rightfully due to him/her.
Those who labor in preaching and teaching is worthy of support and reverence. It is the congregation's duty to provide a decent and sufficient maintenance. Workers deserve what is rightfully owed to them.
Those who are not supportive of ministerial pay often feel that ministers should not sell The Gospel. The Gospel is free; however, ministry costs. There is a difference in The Gospel (the message) and ministry (the work). Of course, no moral Christian sells the message. However, ministers are worthy of being paid for their work.

Ministry is not limited to the pulpit. Christian authors sell books, host seminars, and offer coaching services. Artists of the Christian genre sell digital music, headline concerts, and are booked for events. There are a generous amount of Christians (or ministers) who are paid for their products and services without complaint. It would be an insult to suggest otherwise. Somehow, the only recipients of such protest are preachers and pastors. If we willingly pay secular workers for preparing and serving our physical food, why is it considered offensive for God's workers? Are they not worthy of the same honor? Furthermore, there are as valid reasons why ministers should be supported as there are why schoolteachers, farmers, and doctors are worthy of their salaries. Ministers toil just as hard as other workers do.

The mass majority's real issue may be with the abuse of money rather than ministerial pay itself. There are more pastors living beneath their means than there are millionaire ministers with luxury possessions. The televangelists and wealthy ministers that grace the television screens and radio airways are an extremely small minority. Furthermore, many of them do not receive their sole income from preaching the Gospel. The majority of well-known ministers have multiple streams of income that range from producing movies to selling merchandise.