Some people—mostly ministers—argue that ministers should receive a full salary from the Church to financially support them.  Alongside this, some quote 1 Timothy 5:17-18, “worthy of double honour”, to justify being paid a handsome salary.

1Ti 5:17  Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
1Ti 5:18  For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN,” and, “THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS WAGES.”

Let’s take a look at what the Scriptures say.

Under the Old Covenant the Levites received tithes.  The Levites were not allocated any land when Israel entered the Promised Land.  Instead they received the tithes from everyone else as an inheritance.

Num 18:21  “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

Num 18:24  For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’ “

Jos 18:7  But the Levites have no part among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance. …

Under the New Covenant, the Levitical priesthood has been superseded by the Melchizedek priesthood.  The principle or law of tithing is still valid.  See “Should you tithe?” for more information.  But the pertinent question is how should the tithes received by the church be used?  Should they be used to pay full salaries for ministers?

There is evidence that the apostle Paul at times received financial support to perform his ministry.  For example, Paul received financial support from Philippi and Thessalonica.

Php 4:15  Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
Php 4:16  For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
Php 4:17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
Php 4:18  Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

2Co 11:8  I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.
2Co 11:9  And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

When Paul sought to establish the church at Corinth, he did not burden new converts by asking for money but received money from other congregations to support himself.

There is also evidence that Paul sometimes supported himself.  For example, Paul worked supporting himself – at least for a while – when he was in Thessalonica and Corinth.

1Th 2:9  For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

2Th 3:7  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8  nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

Act 18:1  After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
Act 18:2  And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
Act 18:3  So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
Act 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Paul worked as a tentmaker during the week and preached in the synagogues on the Sabbath.

2Co 11:7  Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

Paul later explained that he and Barnabas had the right to refrain from work, that is, the right to be supported by the local congregation.

1Co 9:6  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?
1Co 9:7  Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?
1Co 9:8  Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?
1Co 9:9  For it is written in the law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?
1Co 9:10  Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1Co 9:11  If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

But Paul concluded that he did not use that right lest he hindered the gospel.

1Co 9:12  If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

Conclusion

Paul is clear that ministers have the right to be financially supported by the church.  However, Paul’s own example was that he was very careful not to abuse that right, and often worked to support himself so as not to burden the brethren nor hinder the gospel.

Should ministers be financially supported solely by the Church?  The answer is that they can be.  However, in practice they should be prepared not use that right so as not to burden the brethren nor hinder the gospel.