Banned from AMF, AGAIN!

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by JoeCastorina

Neither of the bolded statements above accurately describe my beliefs.

I do not believe pastors are superior to laity. Christ is the one who is superior. Hebrews 7 shows us how Christ is the final recipient of tithing. It says that on one hand we tithe to mortal men, but on the other hand it is to the one who lives forever.

When I talk about the superior blessing the inferior, I am speaking of Christ, not pastors.

As for comparing modern day pastors to OT priests, I see where the comparison is often made. I don't necessarily disagree with the comparison, but I see pastors more like OT prophets than priests.

Again, tithing is a principle. I'm not saying that "pastor = priest" therefore pastor gets tithe. Nope. However, I do believe tithing is how God has shown that he takes care of those who devote their lives to the ministry.

See I Corinthians 9. Paul argued his right to receive compensation from the church for his ministry.

I believe the workman is worthy of his hire. I believe that a pastor who can be compensated fully by the church should be. Tithing is not about the preacher getting the money from the victimized laity. Tithing is how God provides for the ministry (not saying it is the only purpose, just saying that it is how provision is made on a consistent basis). It was patterned in the OT, and I haven't seen sufficient proof that the plan has ceased.

FTR, most pastors I know do not even take the full tithe. They usually take a percentage and put the rest toward something else. We have many many good men who have put their own blood, sweat, tears, and money into starting churches and building churches. They have faced hell and more to do a work for God. I believe these men should not have to face the insecurity and struggles of financial hardship if they don't have to.

I don't understand how Hebrews 7 shows that Christ is the final recipient of tithing when it is done to men. So anything you want to elaborate on about this would be great!

I do not believe God has shown tithes to be how to take care of the ministry. That is why I mentioned Rabbis. You mentioned an even better example, the prophets. The prophets were all men of God but I don't recall them ever receiving tithes. (I might have missed something though). It seems to me that of all the many kinds of ministers God used that only priests received tithes.

I too believe that pastors and the ministry can and should be supported or compensated. I just don't believe that the bible describes tithes as the way to do this. I also am not accusing pastors of being greedy or misusing the money they receive from tithes.

EDIT: I just wanted to add, I don't think pastors should have to guess how much is going to be in the offering plate each week and then try to base their finances on that. I think teaching the importance of committing to giving a consistent amount monthly or weekly could easily solve this issue for churches that don't want to teach tithing.