What are the scriptures concerning supporting a pastor?

Answer 1

It could probably be associated with the teachings in the laws of the Old Testament speaking of the tithes of believers. Although at that time the tithes were in the form of sharing of the harvest and donating grain and such to the church to care for the members as well as the clergy (the Levitical priests). Only in recent times did the tithe become a matter of currency, for the modern-day church has become centered upon materialism as is warned in Revelation under the category of the Laedocian church, where it is warned by God through John.

The tithe (10%) of ones assets has been argued for years by the administrative body of the church, as well by its members. Many cannot afford to tithe and they don't, leaving the members of a congregation that do tithe to carry the burden of the entire membership of believers. It is sad when the ability to worship God is dependent upon ones bank account.

Answer 2

Though the early congregations helped out where they could(Matthew 6:2-4), there are no scriptures to support a paid clergy class.

(Matthew 10:8) . . .YOU received free, give free.

Paul worked as a tent maker:

(1 Thessalonians 2:9) . . .Certainly YOU bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of YOU, that we preached the good news of God to YOU.

(Acts 20:33-34) . . .I have coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel. YOU yourselves know that these handshave attended to the needs of me and of those with me.

(Acts 18:2-4) . . .So [Paul] went to them and on account of being of the same trade he stayed at their home, and they worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. However, he would give a talk in the synagogue every sabbath and would persuade Jews and Greeks.

(2 Corinthians 2:17) . . .".. for we are not peddlers of the word of God as many men are, but as out of sincerity, yes, as sent from God, under God's view, in company with Christ, we are speaking.

(1 Corinthians 4:11-12) . . .Down to this very hour we continue to hunger and also to thirst and to be scantily clothed and to be knocked about and to be homeless 12 and to toil, working with our own hands. . .

(Isaiah 55:1) . . .Hey there, all YOU thirsty ones! Come to the water. And the ones that have no money! Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk even without money and without price.

(Revelation 22:17) . . .And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: "Come!" And let anyone hearing say: "Come!" And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free. . .

(Luke 21:1-4) . . .Now as [Jesus] looked up he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury chests. Then he saw a certain needy widow drop two small coins of very little value there, and he said: "I tell YOU truthfully, This widow, although poor, dropped in more than they all did. For all these dropped in gifts out of their surplus, but this [woman] out of her want dropped in all the means of living she had. . .

Answer 3

What does The Bible say about taking care of the pastor.