What does the Bible say about giving to your pastor?

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The Bible teaches that churches should gladly and generously support faithful pastors and elders who labor in preaching, teaching, and spiritual care, while remembering that all giving is an act of worship to God. Galatians 6:6-10 calls believers to share good things with those who teach them, and 1 Timothy 5:17-18 affirms appropriate honor and material support for elders who work hard in the word. Paul likewise says in 1 Corinthians 9:11-14 that those who proclaim the gospel may receive their livelihood from it. Such giving should be voluntary, wise, and free from favoritism or manipulation, flowing from gratitude for Christ and concern for the church's ministry.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Galatians 6:6-10

    [6] But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. [7] Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. [8] For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

  • 1 Timothy 5:17

    Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:14

    Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Gospel should live from the Gospel.

  • Matthew 10:41-42

    [41] He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward: and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. [42] Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most assuredly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."

  • 1 Timothy 5:18

    For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

  • 1 Corinthians 9:11

    If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things?

  • Ezekiel 44:30

    The first of all the first fruits of every thing, and every offering of everything, of all your offerings, shall be for the priest: you shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house.

  • Hebrews 13:7

    Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for.

  • Luke 14:12-14

    [12] He also said to the one who had invited him, "When you make a dinner or a supper, don't call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. [13] But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; [14] and you will be blessed, because they don't have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous."

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