WHAT
IS THE WORK WORTH?
When soldiers in Caesar’s Roman army came to
the preaching of John the Baptizer (Luke 3:14), they asked John, “And what
shall we do?” Note his answer: “Do violence to no man,
neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” Paul told
We must remember Paul, by inspiration, shows the righteousness of paying preachers (1 Cor. 9). He shows they (Paul and Barnabas) could have charged the brethren (vs. 12), but chose not to do so (ibid.) His attitude proved he could preach regardless of income – and indeed did so (2 Thess. 3:7 – 9). God provided his needs (Matt. 6:33; 2 Cor. 1:3 – 11). To him, the saving of souls (Romans 1:16) was always the most important task.
Please do not think this musing is a “subtle ploy” for financial increase! In all likelihood, it will instead be viewed as quite the contrary! In every state we have found ourselves, I and my family have learned to be content (Phil. 4:11 – 12). We “make tents” when necessity requires additional income. Some preaching opportunities have far exceeded our expectations of remuneration, while others barely (if at all) met the expenses incurred to preach the gospel to those souls. In the end, it all balances and we are grateful! No, instead this musing observes a different scan of the subject: one which asks, “What is the work worth?”
Few of us question the worthiness of skilled professionals to receive their fee. We might complain to some extent, but we recognize the fact of gladness for their knowledge and expertise. We gladly pay for relief of pain and suffering or the cure of severe illnesses. Likewise, we accept the high prices of labor for skilled craftsmanship in any number of worthy occupations. We simply appreciate and recognize the worthiness of these educated and trained in whatever worthy trade of endeavor. With no offense intended at all toward such experienced folk, we ask, “Is there truly any work more important than the preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are not those who honesty WORK at this task worthy of their hire?” (Romans 10:14 – 15) I am not addressing this question through an observation of 1 Timothy 5:17 – 18. That context speaks regarding elders who labor as well in preaching. That becomes another important study. I’m talking only about those whose work is that of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5).
When Jesus sent forth His disciples to preach, He said, “Accept what you are given,” (Luke 10: 2 – 16; Matt. 10:10). He also said, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10:8) To some brethren, “free” is precisely what they expect of the preacher’s efforts. Make no mistake: Many of us preachers have done so “freely” and will do so again! Yet, the scriptures teach, “They that preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” Obviously the gospel fills the hunger of the soul; but it’s not able to feed or clothe the physical bodies of those who preach and their families. That requires the loving compensation of the brethren (1 Corinthians 9; 1 John 3)
Still I muse: What is the TRUE value of a sermon, a Bible study, a bulletin article, a visit, etc.? All these things are considered part and partial of a “preacher’s work”. (All the brethren bear a kindred responsibility to these things as well – Matt. 25:31 – 46). If the WORK-MAN is truly worthy of his hire, some are grossly overpaid! Likewise, many others are content with their wages --- knowing GOD is not unrighteous to forget their work and labor of love (Heb. 6:10).
A story from a now deceased gospel preacher proves our point. He was once a young man and eager to preach. He never felt himself then (or even later in life) worthy of much if any compensation for his labors in the gospel. On one occasion, one of the elders from his “home” congregation accompanied him to his preaching appointment in the country. On their way home, the elder asked the young preacher, “What did they pay you?” The young preacher felt the question a gross imposition upon his privacy and responded so by saying, “That’s none of your business.” The elder had a point to make and said, “Yes, it is. Did they pay you and if so, how much?” Reluctantly, the preacher pulled to the side of the road, took out the pay given him (he had not thus far even looked at the reimbursement) and counted the money. “That’s way too much!” he exclaimed to the elder. The elder patiently sat and watched the reaction of the young preacher. He was nervously counting the money and obviously contemplating what he should do. “I’m turning around and take some of this back,” he said emphatically. “How much of it will you keep?” asked the elder. “Well, I don’t know … maybe just a dollar or two,” was the reply. “Was your sermon worth a dollar or two? Was your time and effort worth more? And what about your expenses in getting to and from this appointment? How much is all that worth?” The young preacher now was very upset about the situation and frankly asked the elder’s advice. The preacher just didn’t know how much any sermon was worth, nor what expenses might be in this case. The elder said, “They paid you what THEY thought it was worth. That’s why you accept it with graciousness and extreme thanksgiving to God. What would you do if they hadn’t paid you enough to cover your needs?” The preacher said, “I still couldn’t charge them.” “That’s right,” said the elder. “Sometimes they’ll pay you too much, and sometimes you won’t be paid enough. At other times, you won’t be paid at all. But God has a way of always making the ledger balance at the end of the needs.” That wise advice was accepted and practiced through the preacher’s life … and shared with dozens of other preachers as well!
The point is this: “Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content,” (1 Tim. 6:8) applies to ALL Christians, not just the preacher and his family! Those preaching the gospel should live of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). But this verse doesn’t give the preacher the right to “set a fee” upon that life! Brethren who care will note the needs of the man and his family who devotes his life to the work of an evangelist. If the hearts of the brethren are as they should be, they will not shut up their bowels of compassion from that man (1 John 3:16 – 17). If their hearts are otherwise, obviously the preacher has another sermon the brethren need to hear! (2 Tim. 4:1-8; Titus 2:1; et al) Being an example OF the believers (1 Tim. 4:12) often becomes the better “sermon” from the preacher. What he speaks from the pulpit might not be remembered much longer than the time it takes for the brethren to get home from services. Yet, what that preacher EXEMPLIFIES by way of word, manner of life, charity, spirit, faith and purity will leave lasting impressions on all beholding him (Matt. 5:16).
Preachers aren’t the only ones who live in “fishbowls” where their lives are magnified to greater proportions than the reality of their situation. All Christians are subjected to this type of examination from those surrounding us. Thus I muse: What is the value of our work for the Lord? Can we truly set a monetary price upon its worth? Maybe this is why we simply labor for the Master and await the untold joys of heaven eternal!