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There are many people who wish that men of God always appear rustic and miserable. They hate seeing pastors dressed decently.
A lot of people cannot stand the sight of men of God driving in relatively nice cars. They think it is wrong for pastors to be adequately catered for or supported financially.
It is not being said here that pastors must live flamboyant and ostentatious lifestyles at the expense of the flock. However, they must have basic necessities of life at their disposal. This is scriptural and acceptable.
Jesus had people including women such as Mary Magdalene, Susanna and Joana who supported His ministry materially or financially (Luke 8:1-3).
He had one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who served as His accounts officer. This enabled Him to provide for His needs and the needs of His disciples and others.
One day, when the Lord sent out His disciples, He asked them “not to acquire gold, silver or copper for money belt” (Matthew 10:9).
Jesus told them to accept the support offered them in their ministry as they entered houses of wealthy people.
But in His subsequent ministry assignment to the disciples, the Lord gave a different instruction concerning the provision of financial needs of His ministers.
“Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. He said to them, “BUT NOW IF YOU HAVE A PURSE, TAKE IT, AND ALSO A BAG; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one,” (Luke 22:35-36, NIV).
What was the meaning of the Lord’s latest instruction? “But now if you have a purse, take it”. It simply meant that Jesus was leaving the disciples to be with His Father.
That meant He would not be with them physically any longer to provide their material needs. God would provide for them through people especially the church to enable them to do the gospel work.
If you walk with pastors, you will know the financial challenges many of them face. Many unbelievers and even some Christians do not know the difficulties most men of God go through to provide for their families.
Under the complexities of the modern life, it is only prudent that a pastor is adequately supported to enable him to provide for his needs.
I am, however, not talking about ministers who are gainfully employed and earn salaries. I am talking about full-time ministers who have given themselves wholly to the service of the kingdom of God.
However, it is advisable that ministers find work to do to support themselves and their families when the church is young and is unable to care for them.
This is necessary to allow the church to grow numerically and financially to a level where it can provide for its ministers. In fact, this is something many young churches do.
At the beginning, they sacrifice everything for the growth of the church before later they reap from what they have sown.
To be continued…
See Part Two Here
By James Quansah
