does the Bible teach that ministers are worthy of being supported for their work?
Yes, Scripture teaches that a servant of God—whether pastor, teacher, or evangelist—is worthy of his labor. Paul argues from the Old and New Testaments that those who serve should be supported, using the soldier, vineyard, and flock illustrations to show that labor deserves provision.
Les teaches that Paul is still dealing with his apostleship, then shows from the Scriptures—both the Old Testament and the New—that a servant of God, whether a pastor, teacher, or evangelist, is worthy of his labor. Paul asks who goes to warfare at his own charges, who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit, and who feeds a flock and does not drink the milk. Les explains that just as a government pays its troops a living wage, so those who serve the Lord are worthy of support. This principle applies to ministers and teachers of the Word.
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
More Questions
Does the Bible say a pastor or teacher is worthy of being paid for his work?
Paul begins to show from the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, that a servant of God, whether pastor, teacher, or evangelist, is worthy of his labor.
Why should a church support its pastor financially?
Just as a nation does not expect the man it calls into military service to pay his own wages, but the government pays him a living wage, so Paul argues that the servant of God should be supported for his labor.