Biblical Guidelines for Ministry Finances and Reimbursement
Biblical guidelines for ministry finances and reimbursement are rooted in principles of support for those dedicated to spiritual service, while also emphasizing the minister's own responsibility and the church's role in maintaining order and edification. The New Testament indicates that those who minister the Gospel should be supported by the people they serve [8].
This principle is articulated in 1 Corinthians 9:14, which states, "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on this verse clarifies that this does not imply a sacrificial priesthood in the Christian ministry, but rather establishes that, just as the Jewish priesthood was supported by contributions, so too should Christian ministers be [8]. Early Christian practice involved voluntary offerings, from which ministers, including bishops, presbyters, and deacons, received their stipends [8].
The purpose of ministerial work is primarily for edification, which includes building up the church in its union with Christ and promoting spiritual growth [1]. Ministers are called by God, qualified by Him, and commissioned by Christ, acting as ambassadors for Christ and stewards of God's mysteries [2]. Their authority is for edification, not destruction [4]. In this role, ministers are expected to be watchful, a quality God especially requires of them, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 3:17 and Mark 13:34 [3]. They are to meditate carefully on "these things" (referring to the truths and duties of the gospel) and give themselves wholly to their ministry, as spiritual food requires digestion and appropriation through prayerful meditation to be beneficial [6].
The financial support provided to ministers is seen as a means to enable their dedication to these spiritual tasks. The concept of God supplying "seed to the sower and bread for food" is applied to liberality, suggesting that God will multiply the means for charity and provide the "fruits of your righteousness" as heavenly rewards for Christian charity [5]. This implies a reciprocal relationship where the church's financial support enables the minister's work, which in turn yields spiritual benefits. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 2 Peter 1:11 notes that as believers "minister in your faith virtue and the other graces," so too will an abundant entrance into heaven be ministered to them, connecting earthly actions of grace and support with heavenly reward [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Edification — Described -- Eph 4:12-16. Is the object of The ministerial office. -- Eph 4:11,12. Ministerial gifts. -- 1Co 14:3-5,12. Ministerial authority. -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. The Church's union in Christ. -- Eph 4:16. The gospel, the instrument of -- Ac 20:32. Love leads to -- 1Co 8:1. Exhortation to -- Jude 1:20,21. Mutual, commanded -- Ro 14:19; 1Th 5:11. All to be done to -- 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:29. Use self-denial to promote, in others -- 1Co 10:23,33. The peace of the Church favours -- Ac 9:31. Foolish questions opposed to -- 1Ti 1:4.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Watchfulness — Christ an example of -- Mt 26:38,40; Lu 6:12. Commanded -- Mr 13:37; Re 3:2. Exhortations to -- 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7. God especially requires in ministers -- Eze 3:17; Isa 62:6; Mr 13:34. Ministers exhorted to -- Ac 20:31; 2Ti 4:5. Faithful ministers exercise -- Heb 13:17. Faithful ministers approved by -- Mt 24:45,46; Lu 12:41-44. Should be With prayer. -- Lu 21:36; Eph 6:18. With thanksgiving. -- Col 4:2. With steadfastness in the faith. -- 1Co 16:13. With heedfulness. -- Mr 13:33. With sobriety. -- 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7. At all times. -- Pr 8:34. In all thin”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Discipline of the Church — Ministers authorised to establish -- Mt 16:19; 18:18. Consists in Maintaining sound doctrine. -- 1Ti 1:3; Tit 1:13. Ordering its affairs. -- 1Co 11:34; Tit 1:5. Rebuking offenders. -- 1Ti 5:20; 2Ti 4:2. Removing obstinate offenders. -- 1Co 5:3-5,13; 1Ti 1:20. Should be submitted to -- Heb 13:17. Is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Decency and order, the objects of -- 1Co 14:40. Exercise, in a spirit of charity -- 1Co 2:6-8. Prohibits women preaching -- 1Co 14:34; 1Ti 2:12.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 9:10: Translate, as in Isa 55:10, "He that ministereth (supplieth) seed to the sower and bread for food" (literally, "bread for eating"). minister--rather future, as the oldest manuscripts, "Shall minister (supply) and multiply." your seed--your means for liberality. the fruits of your righteousness--the heavenly rewards for your Christian charity (Mat 10:42). Righteousness shall be itself the reward, even as it is the thing rewarded (Hos 10:12; Mat 5:6; Mat 6:33).”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:15: Meditate--Greek, "Meditate CAREFULLY upon" (Psa 1:2; Psa 119:15; compare "Isaac," Gen 24:63). these things-- (Ti1 4:12-14). As food would not nourish without digestion, which assimilates the food to the substance of the body, so spiritual food, in order to benefit us, needs to be appropriated by prayerful meditation. give thyself wholly to--literally, "BE in these things"; let them engross thee wholly; be wholly absorbed in them. Entire self-dedication, as in other pursuits, so especially in religion, is the secret of proficiency. There are chan”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:11: an entrance--rather as Greek, "the entrance" which ye look for. ministered--the same verb as in Pe2 1:5. Minister in your faith virtue and the other graces, so shall there be ministered to you the entrance into that heaven where these graces shine most brightly. The reward of grace hereafter shall correspond to the work of grace here. abundantly--Greek, "richly." It answers to "abound," Pe2 1:8. If these graces abound in you, you shall have your entrance into heaven not merely "scarcely" (as he had said, Pe1 4:18), nor "so as by fire," like one es”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:14: Even so--The only inference to be drawn from this passage is, not that the Christian ministry is of a sacrificial character as the Jewish priesthood, but simply, that as the latter was supported by the contributions of the people, so should the former. The stipends of the clergy were at first from voluntary offerings at the Lord's Supper. At the love-feast preceding it every believer, according to his ability, offered a gift; and when the expense of the table had been defrayed, the bishop laid aside a portion for himself, the presbyters, and dea”