Dear Pastor Whoever

Dear Pastor Whoever….

Salaries. Let’s talk salaries. More specifically, let’s talk your salary. This might be painful, but perhaps it will cause less regret at “the judgement seat of Christ”. Amen?

Jesus: “Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them.” Jesus:“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Jesus: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations.” These words were spoken prior to Christ’s-ascension. The “Lamb of God” had been sacrificed. “He was bruised for our iniquities.” And now He mandated His church to take that good news to a perishing world. There should be a deep urgency.

It has been suggested if there were families seriously threatened by a wildfire every able person would take part in their rescue. Ordinary life would be on hold until every family was saved. That’s how we should live out our CHRIST-ianity…. reaching the lost at any cost. But we don’t. There is no urgency. We know what really matters most by tracking the dollar. Which brings us back to your salary.

I know your reasoning: “The Bible clearly states, ‘Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.’ Therefore I am worthy of a salary.” No, not so fast. Lord Jesus didn’t say those who preach the gospel should be salaried, but such preachers should be supported through contributions…. to cover “eating and drinking” and shelter. The basics. Paul said, “The labourer is worthy of his wages.” The “labourer” is the evangelist, missionary, sunday school teacher, pastor, social media preacher,“elders who rule well”…. anyone who labours. They are EQUALLY“worthy of his [her] wages”.

What comes first, Pastor Whoever, “Preach the gospel to every creature” or your salary? The people have been coerced to place the bulk of their giving under your supervision, and it is you who decides that your salary comes first. In fact, you don’t need a salary. Paul and Peter and John and many etceteras prove that. But Christ’s Great Commission must be financed. “How shall they preach unless they are sent.”