There are ministers all over the country suffering from a lack of financial support from their congregations. Whose fault is it? “Congregations,” you answer! Well, often that is the reason for the inadequate compensation given to those who preach the Word. A significant share of the blame lies at the feet of miserly board members and penurious members. But deficient salaries are not caused merely by parsimonious parishioners. Preachers, themselves, are guilty in the matter. They are responsible to instruct their members about providing support for themselves as much as for instructing them about anything else. And many have failed to assume that responsibility.
“It’s too sensitive,” they say (when their wives tell them they ought to ask for a raise). “I don’t want them to think that I am complaining,” is another common response. And, one more: “I’ll pray about it; God will have to provide an answer.” But such responses will not do. Basic instruction (and exhortation) is necessary.
Many members (even some board members) may be perplexed, confused about the standard for payment. It is time to proclaim the biblical standard from pulpits rather than whisper about it behind closed doors. “But God didn’t speak on that
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