Truth Magazine

By Ron Holbrook

Whether the preacher’s needs are supplied by individuals, as in Luke 10:7, or by the local church, as in 1 Timothy 5:18, the Bible says in both passages, “The laborer is worthy of his reward.” Preachers and all other brethren need to remember first and foremost that when we labor together in the gospel, this is God’s work and not our own. We plant and water, but God gives the increase. “For we are laborers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:6-9). As we all labor together, our focus must be on pleasing God, saving our own souls, and saving the lost. With regard to paying the preacher, he should not focus on squeezing every possible penny out of his brethren, and his brethren should not focus on pinching every penny while keeping the preacher as poor as possible. When our attitudes are right toward the work of the Lord, they will be right toward each other as respects the preacher’s pay (Phil. 4:10-18).

Passages and Principles on Paying the Preacher

In both the Old and New Testaments, God ordained that those who devote their lives to teaching his Word are to be supported both by individuals and by the collective treasury of his people according to the need. The Levites who served in the temple and who taught the Law were sup-ported by “the tithes of the children of Israel” (Num. 18:20-24). The priests received a portion of the sacrifices brought to God, including “the first fruit also of thy com, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep” (Deut. 18:1-8). The Shunammite woman and her husband built a small room onto their house for the prophet Elisha, and shared with him the food, hospitality, and love of their home (2 Kgs. 4:8-10). When Jesus sent his disciples out on the limited commission, he ordained that their physical needs be supplied by the people who accepted their teaching (Matt. 10:9-10; Lk. 10:4-8). Jesus taught that those who sacrifice physical needs and comforts for the sake of his kingdom will be blessed “an hundredfold” with such things (Matt. 19:29). This often occurs when Christians share many of the good things of life with gospel preachers. Saints like Lydia constrain preachers to visit in their household, and in other ways supply the needs of such teachers (Acts 16:15; Gal. 6:6).

Paul repeatedly taught by divine inspiration that he had the right “to forbear working” and to be supported by the church while he labored in the gospel. Such support of an evangelist should be sufficient not only for himself alone but also for his “wife” and family if he is married. Paul used as illustrations that a soldier is paid wages while engaging in war, a fanner eats of the crops he raises, and a shepherd drinks milk from the flock he tends. Paul’s readers are reminded that the Law of Moses said, “Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.” He asked, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” Since the priesthood ministered in the “holy things … of the temple,” God ordained that they should eat from the altar. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:4-14).

Paul at times exercised this right and at other times sustained himself, as seemed best in each situation. Paul was sometimes supported while laboring with a local church and at other times while traveling and preaching. when he departed from the church at Philippi, that church supplied his needs as he went and sent additional aid “once and again” while he was preaching in Thessalonica (Phil. 4:15-16). Later when preaching at Corinth, he “robbed other churches, taking wages of them,” as a matter of expediency, so as to avoid the opportunity for his critics to charge that he came to Corinth to bilk the people out of their money (2 Cor. 11:8).

Early evangelists were often “brought on their way by the church,” i.e. supported in their travels, when going to debates, going to help other preachers in some work, or preaching in foreign places (Acts 15:3; Rom. 15:24; 1 Cor. 16:6,11; cf. Acts 11:22). All of the passages presented above provide principles which guide us in paying the preacher as he engages in many varied labors for the gospel’s sake, at home or in travels, including gospel meetings. The greatest, guiding principle for all of us to remember is that God ordained gospel preaching to save the world. This is his work and not our own. We must put our faith and trust in him as we do the work he has given into our hands.

Applying the Principles on Paying the Preacher

Brethren are to be commended who open their homes to give preachers lodging, use their automobiles to transport preachers, prepare meals and provide food, wash clothes, repair suits, make typewriters and computers available, supply money when needed, offer the use of an extra vehicle, nurse him when he is sick, invite the preacher to use their phone to stay in touch with his family, send gifts and notes of appreciation to the preacher’s family, and show consideration for his needs in a hundred other ways while he is away from his home to labor in the gospel. They fulfill Galatians 6:6, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” They are “fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil.4:3)

When the church contemplates having a gospel meeting, here are questions which brethren sometimes ask the preacher or one another.

1. “What do you charge for a gospel meeting?” A preacher who is worth his salt does not “charge” anything. He preaches for the Lord, to save himself, to serve brethren, to keep the saved from being lost, and to save the lost, not for money. If he can get to the place where preaching is needed and back home again, with or without the help of the brethren who are calling or of other brethren, he should try to go.

2. “What is the cheapest we can get him for?” Brethren who have the right attitude toward the Lord’s work and the Lord’s servants do not try to be “cheap.” They try to be fair (Matt. 7:12). It cost Paul the same amount to purchase a fare on a ship that it cost anyone else. It is fine for brethren to inquire what expenses a preacher may incur so that they can be fair and generous in covering those expenses, rather than leaving him to wonder what their intentions are. His fare, meals, lodging, etc. will cost him what it costs anyone else. If the church plans to put the preacher in a motel during the meeting, brethren should select a place which is truly clean and comfortable, just as anyone would select for an honored relative, instead of making the cheapest price the first priority. The cost of a motel room should not be deducted from the preacher’s pay, leaving him a pittance for his week’s work.

3. “What are some expenses we should consider so that we can be fair?” If he is coming by car, he may have to buy gas, meals, and lodging along with incidental expenses, depending on the distance. Motel expenses vary along the way and it is not always possible or desirable to find “the cheapest place.” A modest room averages $40.00 per night. The U.S. government sets the expense of operating a car at the average of 28.5 cents per mile; a roundtrip of 100 miles costs $28.50, and 1,000 miles costs $280.50. If the preacher drives his car, he may have extra mileage and expenses if he uses his car during the gospel meeting. If he comes by bus, train, or plane, he will have to purchase a ticket and perhaps some meals, along with incidentals. Not all airlines serve meals and food is very expensive in airports (about $10.00 for a sandwich, drink, and chips),It is thoughtful to send money for estimated travel expenses ahead before the meeting. Some of us find that our family must struggle when we take travel money out of the normal budget; at times the strain covers a two to four week period because advance preparation must be made for the trip. In an effort to find cheaper rates, travel tickets are often bought several days or weeks in advance. At times it may be necessary to buy two or three tickets ahead, requiring a total outlay of $500-$1,000! Please consider that there are many hidden costs for the preacher such as luggage, phone calls to stay in touch with his family or to meet other obligations which arise in his work while away from home, the extra wear and tear on suits, literature which he may distribute at his own expense, and other expenses.

4. “What do churches currently pay for gospel meetings?” It varies greatly. Most preachers hold some meetings without any pay in order to help where there is a great need. Some churches are able to pay more, others less; some are stingy, some generous. I have never discussed with other preachers what they are paid for meetings because that is not my focus. Most of my meetings are with smaller churches. In my limited experience, churches often pay within a range of $500 to $700 for a week’s meeting, and about $100 per day for shorter meetings, with some additional allowance for expenses in both cases. Whatever brethren pay, they should remember that it is not “clear money,” because the preacher will not only pay income taxes and 13%+ Social Security taxes, he will always incur hidden expenses.

If a preacher traveled 1,200 miles roundtrip, and was paid $500 plus $200 for travel, deduct $342 for car expense, $80 for on-the-road motel, $100 for food and miscellaneous, $90 for S.S., which leaves about $70 to apply to hidden expenses. If he was asked to pay his local motel bill, deduct another $200, which leaves him $130 in the hole. If his home congregation suspends his regular salary when he is away “getting rich” in meetings, he is really in desperate straits! Thank God, most churches have quit penalizing their preacher that way, and some even offer to make up any such deficit when he returns home. To avoid creating such deficits, thoughtful brethren ask the visiting preacher if what they plan to pay is adequate so that any needed adjustment can be made.

5. “Would it be better to discontinue meetings, shorten them, or use only men nearby to ‘save’ the Lord’s money?” No, such thinking is shortsighted and false economy. God ordained that the money be put to work in his service and gospel meetings are among the most effective things we do to proclaim the gospel. Other methods are fine, but there will never be a substitute for the public preaching of the gospel. Not only do sinners need to hear it, but so do saints (Acts 20:20,31). To always use men nearby locks the church into the danger of regional views which may develop. When men are brought in from different areas, there is the benefit of “cross fertilization,” the opportunity for questions to be raised which may be overlooked in one region, and the advantage of getting the right man for the job in order to be as effective as possible.

God’s patience permits the world to stand so that we can press on in preaching the gospel and in calling men to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Faithful preachers press on in this work with or without adequate pay. Faithful brethren press

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 16, p. 16-17
August 19, 1993

By Mike Willis

“Why should we have gospel meetings? We are not baptizing people any more. Gospel meetings used to accomplish a lot of good when America was a rural nation and non-Christians would visit the meetings. But, now non-Christian Americans will not visit gospel meetings, so they are a left-over relic from a by-gone era which are no longer effective in reaching the people. Gospel meetings need to be discarded.”

Though these are not the exact words used, these are the gist of the argument which I heard a gospel preacher use while conducting a gospel meeting in our area. If this gospel preacher felt this way about gospel meetings, he should not be holding them and surely the church ought to accommodate him by not inviting him to conduct any more.

Let us consider the purpose churches have when they conduct gospel meetings. Reminding ourselves of the legitimate goals of gospel meetings and refocusing our aims on those goals should help us to have more effective gospel meetings.

Faith Comes By Hearing

The purpose of preaching the gospel is simple: this is God’s ordained method of creating faith. Consider these verses:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:13-17).

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cot. 1:21).

The only means which God has of reaching the hearts of men is through the preaching of the gospel. We preach the gospel in gospel meetings (or any other time) for the purpose of creating, building, and strengthening faith.

To Save the Lost

None can be saved without faith (John 8:24; Mark 16:15-16). We preach the gospel to save the lost. One of the primary purposes we have in gospel meetings is to win the lost. Even though we admit that fewer non-Christian visitors are attending gospel meetings than at times in the past, still there are non-Christians attending most gospel meetings. Think of the non-Christians who attend the meetings where you attend  the teenagers, mates of Christians, and friends who occasionally come. In nearly every gospel meeting I conduct, there are some non-Christians present and I am preaching the gospel in an effort to save them.

Christians can develop an evil heart of unbelief and fall into sin. The writer of Hebrews said, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in

The Purpose of Gospel Meetings .. .

any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (3:12). We preach to save the erring Christians who have developed an evil heart of unbelief. Inmost gospel meetings that are conducted, there are erring Christians who would freely admit that they are presently in an unsaved condition. We preach with the purpose of saving their souls and restoring them to the Lord (cf. Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20).

Many erring Christians have been taught the truth on such things as institutionalism, church sponsored recreation, instrumental music in worship, unscriptural divorce and remarriage, and other forms of sin in which they were engaged through the efforts of gospel meetings. Some have repented of their sins and been restored to God through these efforts.

To Keep What We’ve Got

We preach in gospel meetings to strengthen all Christians. We want to hold the ones we have. To do so, we must keep their faith strong in the Lord. The means of doing that is to continue to teach them the word of God’s grace. As Paul departed from the elders of the church at Ephesus, he said, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). The teaching of the word of God’s grace is what strengthens one’s faith. We preach the gospel to hold what we already have won for Christ.

Many families have had their marriage strengthened through lessons on the family, received words of encouragement or hope, learned to pray more effectively, and otherwise been strengthened through the efforts in gospel meetings. Are the Christians in your local church so strong that they need no more strengthening?

Less Preaching is the Wrong Answer

If we understand that preaching is the divinely ordained way to create, build, and strengthen faith, we should immediately see that less preaching will produce less faith! In recognizing the fact that we are reaching fewer people today with the gospel, we must understand that less preaching is not the proper solution and answer to the problem.

What does a person do who wants to eat fresh fish when the fish are not biting? Does he quit fishing or fish less? I used to fish a good bit as a young man. I learned that a person had to fish a lot harder to catch enough fish for dinner when the fish were not biting than when they were biting. We are living in a time when the “fish” (non-Christian world) are not biting. We are, therefore, going to have to work a lot harder to find the good and honest in heart who might respond to the gospel.

As A Testimony to the World

What was God’s message to his prophets when the world became unwilling to listen and hear his word? Did he tell them to quit preaching. I am reminded of God’s word to Ezekiel. He instructed him to go to the hardhearted in the house of Israel, knowing full well when he sent the prophet that the people would not hear. Yet, God said,

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house (3:7-9).

Noah ministered as a “preacher of righteousness” for 120 years while the ark was being prepared. Yet, he was only able to save his own household. Should he have done less preaching?

We must admit that Americans are less interested in spiritual things today than they were several years ago, if the measuring stick is how often non-Christians attend gospel meetings. We are not stating that gospel meetings should be the one and only means of trying to reach the lost. Home Bible studies, correspondence courses, radio and television programs, bulletins, newspaper articles, and other means of reaching out to those who are lost in sin must be used in the most effective manner possible. Those who calling for fewer and shorter gospel meetings seem ready to discard one of the ways which has been most effective in reaching those outside of Christ. If a person has another effective way of reaching the lost, by all means use it. However, what is gained by discarding another effective tool which also has helped reach the lost, especially in light of the many other goods which are being accomplished through these gospel meetings?

To Save Our Own Souls

We have a responsibility to make sure the world knows the word of God. As God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman for the house of Israel, he said,

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul (3:17-19).

Paul reflected the same concept when he told the elders of the church at Ephesus that he was “pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26) because he had declared the whole counsel of God to them. Can we be free from the blood of all men without preaching the word of God even to those who are unwilling to hear?

No Excuse For Not Working

I have heard brethren excuse themselves from working by saying that no one is interested in the gospel we have to preach. We cannot salve our consciences by such statements. The fact of the matter is that too many churches have fallen into the rut of having a spring and fall gospel meeting from habit and custom. The church buys printed announcements which are mailed to area churches and the meetings are attended by the most spiritual ones from area congregations and many of the saints in the local church. The trouble is that sometimes a goodly percentage of the local church does not care enough about the preaching of the gospel to come to the meeting (or other services than the Sunday morning worship to observe the Lord’s supper). Many Christians are not inviting their friends, relatives, and neighbors to hear the gospel preached. They do not talk to those with whom they come in contact to open doors of opportunities for the gospel. Then when no one comes to the meeting, they say, “Gospel meetings aren’t doing any good any more.” What we need to be saying is this: “We have quit working to reach our friends and neighbors with the gospel. Many of us are too pre-occupied with the cares of this world to even come to the meeting ourselves, much less bring someone with us. We need to repent of our sinful negligence and apathy and give ourselves totally to the Lord’s work.” When this happens, brethren will be tremendously surprised at how much good can be done in gospel meetings.

Let’s not use the excuse that meetings will do no good to salve our consciences when we do not put forth the effort to reach those who are lost.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 16, p. 3-5
August 19, 1993

By Donnie V. Rader

This special issue of Guardian of Truth is about gospel meetings. In some places it seems that meetings have become a mere custom or routine. It’s time that we stop and think about why we are having a meeting and what we can do to improve on it. Are we having this meeting because it is that time of the year to have another meeting or do we have a real purpose in mind? What is our goal during the week? Are we trying to reach the lost in the community or work on building up those who are Christians?

I am delighted to see some churches taking more interest in the purpose and direction of the meeting. This year I have had more churches than ever before request a specific direction (some even selecting which sermons for a particular night) for the meeting.

Another purpose for this special issue is to emphasize that the day of gospel meetings is not over. A pessimistic attitude, that says that it is, will defeat the Lord’s work. When the gospel is preached, God is glorified and good is accomplished. We may go through cycles of how interested people are in coming to hear God’s word. We must, through each cycle, be there preaching the truth to those who are there. In so doing we edify Christians and prepare them to convert their neighbors. We also help prevent apostasy.

Meetings are good in that the local church has an opportunity to hear different preachers. Preachers have different styles, approaches and points of emphasis. Some visiting preachers may be able to accomplish with some “in some places it seems that meetings have become a mere custom or routine. It’s dine that we stop and think about why we are having a meeting and what we can do to improve on it” what the local man has been unable to do. It also helps them to hear the same principles from another man which serves to reinforce the local man’s work.

There is no doubt that gospel meetings have changed some over the years. While working on this special I have asked a few older preachers how meetings have changed since the day they started holding meetings. Some said that brethren don’t attend meetings in other places like they used to. One brother said that brethren used to drive 75 miles to attend meetings, but now many will not drive across town to encourage others in their efforts. Some of the preachers said that the preaching has changed. Now them is little preaching on hell, denominationalism and Bible authority. Yet those were the subjects in days gone by. I have a sermon on hell that I frequently preach in meetings. I generally get a reaction from several like this: “You don’t hear that kind of preaching much anymore.” I remember that preachers used to always have one sermon on hell in about every meeting. But, it has been years since I’ve heard a sermon like that. Brethren, it’s time to think about what we are preaching!

This special covers many aspects of gospel meetings. The pages to follow touch on the history of meetings, their purpose, the preacher, the local church, the singing, advertisement, the preacher’s pay and other things that will help improve our meetings.

If we can cause a few churches and preachers to evaluate how meetings can be improved, our goal will be accomplished.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 16, p. 1
August 19, 1993

By Carl McMurray

Our mouth has spoken freely to you, 0 Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange  I speak as to children  open wide to us also (2 Cor. 6:11-13).

Paul reminded the Corinthians in this passage that he had been completely open with them in heart and speech. He had shared with them commendation, rebuke, love, and tears. There was a problem, however, in that some in Corinth were being led to attack the apostle. Not being willing to accept correction and desirous of Paul’s authority as an apostle, it seems a few were leading the congregation to question, doubt, and otherwise be suspicious of the apostle. The natural result of this action, however, was to cause barrier walls to be erected between the inspired teacher and his students. The apostle points out that although he was not “restraining” them, they were still very much being restrained by themselves. They were holding back their true and real affections in this matter, and Paul encourages them to let go and open up their hearts. The things he had taught them and the things he was still teaching them had to do with love, openness, and fellowship. No part of gospel truth practiced or taught openly can cause harm to man. It is only those motivated by selfishness or coveting power and preeminence who desire walls to go up, things to be done in secret, and hearts to be closed against their fellow man.

Isn’t that the way it is? There seems to be no end to the amount of love that the human heart can hold. We are not limited to just loving one, but are able, year after year, to add to the list of “loved ones.” One’s heart never seems to “fill up” so that we must say, “I just can’t love one more.” On the other hand, just a little hatred or envy seems to completely fill us. There is suddenly no more room in the heart when jealousy moves in. Love is brought to a halt and even past love is squeezed and damaged by this evil influence. The clear fact seems to be that God did not design the human heart to carry evil suspicions, doubt, motive judging and coveting. They don’t fit well and when we accept that load from Satan, it is an uncomfortable one that is borne with much sorrow.

We need to listen to the apostle’s advice to Corinth. We often need to quit “restraining” (tying up, holding back?) ourselves with the burden of a bad attitude or selfish motives. We need to “open wide” our hearts and let these sinful burdens fall away. We must learn to accept and deal with one another in an open and loving fashion  as Paul said he had done with Corinth.

When you appreciate the activities or attitude of a brother or sister, go tell them so  don’t be “restrained.” If you love one another, say so. Likewise, if there is a problem, go talk to that Christian and deal with it. Let’s leave the “mind games” and “rule keeping” to the politicians and lawyers. Let’s “open wide” our hearts and talk to one another instead of about one another. When we learn this principle of doing things openly and not looking for hidden motives, great things are in store for us. We will all be profited by being able to accept correction better. Parents and Bible class teachers will work together for the benefit of the child rather than one fearing the reaction of the other. Preachers and congregations will work together as a team instead of one trying to control the other. Elders will come out from behind closed doors and quit making decisions for the congregation instead of “leading” the group to make decisions for themselves. And the list goes on and on.

Nothing but good can come from a gospel of openness and love. Let us not wait until trouble arises as in Corinth and we have to be told this in correction. It is Satan that wants us all tied up and burdened. The Lord would set us free through truthful behavior with one another. Let’s open our hearts and be not restrained.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 15, p. 19-20
August 5, 1993