The Bible is very clear on this topic. Here are the key verses that teach a pastor (elder, shepherd, minister) should be financially supported by the church. 1 Timothy 5:17–18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine… The labourer is worthy of his reward.” What it teaches: “Double honour” includes financial support, not just respect. Paul quotes Jesus to show that spiritual labor deserves material provision. 1 Corinthians 9:13–14 “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” What it teaches: This is the strongest verse. Paul says Jesus Himself commanded that ministers should receive their living from ministry. Galatians 6:6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” What it teaches: “Communicate” means share materially — food, resources, finances — with the one who teaches. Luke 10:7 “The labourer is worthy of his hire.” What it teaches: Jesus said this when sending out ministers. Their work deserves support. 1 Corinthians 9:7–11 Paul uses everyday examples: – Soldiers don’t serve at their own expense – Farmers eat from their vineyard – Shepherds drink the milk of the flock What it teaches: It is normal and right for spiritual workers to receive material support. Numbers 18:21–24 The Levites (Old Testament ministers) lived off the tithes of the people. What it teaches: God established a pattern of supporting those who serve in ministry. So what’s the biblical conclusion? The Bible teaches consistently that: Pastors should be financially supported by the church. Paul only refused support at times to avoid misunderstanding — not because pastors shouldn’t be paid.
These verses show that wealth ultimately comes from God, not human effort alone. Deuteronomy 8:18 — God is the one who gives the ability to produce wealth. Proverbs 10:22 — The Lord’s blessing brings wealth without painful striving. Psalm 112:3 — The homes of the righteous can experience wealth and enduring righteousness. Scripture consistently warns that wealth can become a spiritual trap if the heart clings to it. Matthew 6:24 — You cannot serve both God and money; one will dominate your loyalty. 1 Timothy 6:10 — The love of money leads people into harmful desires and spiritual ruin. Ecclesiastes 5:10 — Those who love money never feel satisfied; wealth alone cannot fulfill. Mark 4:19 — Wealth’s deceitfulness can choke out spiritual growth. How God Wants Wealth to Be Used Wealth is a stewardship—meant for generosity, justice, and blessing others. 1 Timothy 6:17–19 — The rich must not be arrogant but generous, using wealth to do good and build eternal treasure. Proverbs 19:17 — Giving to the poor is like lending to the Lord, who repays. 2 Corinthians 9:7 — God loves cheerful, willing givers. Acts 20:35 — It is more blessed to give than to receive.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Psalm 34:8 — “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” In this verse we see David inviting you to personally experience God’s goodness—not just hear about it, but encounter it in a real, life-shaping way. Those who trust Him discover protection, joy, and deep satisfaction. What “taste and see” means Taste — Try it for yourself. Like sampling food, it means engaging with God through prayer, obedience, worship, and trust. It’s experiential, not theoretical. See — Perceive and understand. As you walk with God, you begin to recognize His character, His faithfulness, and His goodness in your life. David isn’t asking you to accept God’s goodness secondhand—he’s urging you to step into it. What you discover when you do: Those who “taste and see” learn firsthand that: God provides for His people (Psalm 34:9–10). God protects and delivers in trouble (Psalm 34:17–19). God gives true happiness and inner stability to those who trust Him. This blessing isn’t a fleeting emotion—it’s a settled joy rooted in God’s unchanging goodness.
God’s Love Is Beyond Measure Ephesians 3:18–19 (GW summary)Paul prays that believers would grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love—a love that surpasses knowledge. KJV (full verse) “That ye… may be able to comprehend… what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” God Loved Us Before We Loved Him 1 John 4:19 (GW summary) We are able to love because God loved us first. KJV (full verse) “We love him, because he first loved us. God Proved His Love by Giving His Son Romans 5:8 (GW summary) God demonstrates His love: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. KJV (full verse) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s Love Is Sacrificial and Saving John 3:16 (GW summary) God loved the world so much He gave His only Son so believers can have eternal life. KJV (full verse) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” God’s Love Is Everlasting Jeremiah 31:3 (GW summary) God says He has loved His people with an everlasting love and continues to draw them with kindness. KJV (full verse) “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love Romans 8:38–39 (GW summary) Nothing in all creation—death, life, angels, powers—can separate us from God’s love in Christ. KJV (full verse) “Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POWERFUL REFRESHER. YES, GOD LOVES US.
Joshua 1:8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite, it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us. Micah 6:8 Mankind, He has told you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. 1 Samuel 2:3 Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by Him. Proverbs 13:20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
ALLOW THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Scripture teaches both persistent prayer and confident prayer. They are not contradictions—they are two sides of mature faith. Persistent prayer shows dependence. Confident prayer shows trust. We keep praying until God answers, redirects, or gives peace. Persistent Prayer — God Invites Repeated Asking Biblical Examples of Repeated Prayer: Jesus prayed the same request three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:44). Paul prayed three times about the thorn (2 Corinthians 12:8). Persistence is normal for God’s people. Confident Prayer — Ask in Faith and Trust God’s Timing. Believe You Have Received (Mark 11:24) That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours. Faith believes God hears and responds. Confidence is not arrogance; it is trust in God’s character. Present Your Requests and Rest (Philippians 4:6–7) Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. Bring your requests to God. Then let His peace guard your heart. Faith rests after asking. Assurance of Being Heard (1 John 5:14–15) We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for. If we ask according to His will, we know He hears us. Confidence replaces anxiety-driven repetition. Persistence is not unbelief • You keep asking because you believe God is the only answer. • You are not trying to “wear God down”—you are expressing dependence. Confidence is not passivity • You trust God after asking, but you still bring the burden to Him daily. • Confidence means you trust His timing, not your own.
John 3:16 God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. Jeremiah 32:41 — “Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good…” God delights in blessing His people. Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. KJV “Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Hebrews 12:6 The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.”
IT IS GOOD TO BE A CHILD OF GOD. ISN’T IT GOOD TO BE LOVED BY GOD?
WHO IS JESUS? The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is the Son of God. Matthew 16:16 — “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 20:31 — “That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is God (Divine) John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” John 1:14 — “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is the Savior. Luke 2:11 — “For unto you is born… a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Acts 4:12 — “Neither is there salvation in any other…” The Word of God teaches us that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ). John 4:25–26 — Jesus tells the woman at the well, “I that speak unto thee am he.” AGAIN, I ASK WHO IS JESUS? Jesus is the Light of the World. John 8:12 — “I am the light of the world…” Jesus is the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd…” Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25 — “I am the resurrection, and the life…” Jesus is the Lamb of God. John 1:29 — “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus is the King of Kings. Revelation 19:16 — “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
