Something for Nothing

I have a question. Would you be willing to give up your paycheck for one week? What if I called you on the phone and asked you to give me your salary or benefits because I am a church who has a need and you are the one that can fulfill it? C’mon, after all I am a Christian!

How many times have we expected to get something for nothing because we are a pastor, a church, or a church planter? I’ve been guilty of this. If I called a plumber or bought a car, I secretly hoped for the “pastor’s special discount”. Sometimes I made sure the salesman knew I was a church planting pastor. After all, we are entitled to God’s blessings and freebies aren’t we? Well, not so fast.

Jesus said that a worker deserves their wages (Luke 10:7). So workers should be paid for the work that they do whether as an evangelist, a preacher, a plumber, or a car salesman. And is it possible to rob the worker of His blessing for him (such as supporting his family and providing for their needs) when we expect the church discount? Let me share Bob’s story.

Bob is a tent-maker who creates stuff for God’s glory. He serves churches through the gifts that God has blessed him with because he believes there is no greater cause than helping build the Kingdom. He also supports his family with his talents.

One of the churches, who can afford and wants his custom tents, feels that Bob should provide them with a sweet, fat discount because they too are doing God’s work. They are supposed to be great stewards of God’s money and they need a break so they can fulfill the Great Commission. If Bob can’t hook them up “on the cheap” they will have to go to Wal-Mart – even though they think Bob is the best tent-maker and really want his products.

Meanwhile Bob’s family is praying. His daughter needs braces immediately and his wife has medical problems that have been ongoing for years. But they can’t afford it because they don’t make enough money to pay it upfront and getting insurance as a self-employed tent-maker is almost impossible. And if Bob cuts off his hand while making that tent for a sweet discount, well, he’ll just have to bleed to death because with only life insurance – he can only afford to die. But that’s OK, at least the church wasn’t robbed of their blessing…

This story may seem a little silly but it is 100% true! You see, I am “Bob” and this has actually happened to me. It is my story and yet it is similar to other stories of designers I know.

Sometimes as churches we forget to see the other side of things. Yes, we all want great deals and to be good stewards of God’s money but sometimes spending God’s money for something that will build His Kingdom or to help His people is good stewardship.Matthew25:14-28. Sometimes it is easy for us to forget the risks, training and expenses one has in starting and running a business and we can only think “bottom dollar”. That’s why I started off this post by asking if you would give up your paycheck for a week. Will you give up your money that you earned by working hard? Will you give up the salary that pays for your utilities or your son’s medication?

I admit that I used to seek out the “pastoral discount” or chew down my mechanic’s price…but I don’t anymore not because I am special but because I have experienced the other side. It doesn’t feel right anymore.

There isn’t anything wrong with praying for God’s favor or for a sweet discount but let God orchestrate the deal and not ourselves.There have been times where the Holy Spirit told me not to charge my normal fees for a church or to accept payments – but it was His leading – and it was for churches that truly needed the help unbeknownst to me at the time.

Let me wrap up by saying these words in truth and love.

If you are a church who is next to broke or already there (and I know this feeling as a church planter) pray that God will lead you to the right answer or for His providence in a way that can only be done by His will. Don’t expect or assume you’ll get freebies and if you do remember to offer something in return as goodwill.

If you are a church or staff member who has the funding to pay a worker her wages – don’t nickel and dime her to get a deal. Don’t play the “you should give us the Christian sister” card or “we’re going to compare you with ABC” shtick for a discount. Don’t take advantage of someone’s living and then go to your smug suburban dwelling with professionally landscaped yards. It’s wrong in so many ways and I don’t believe it honors God. Please pay a worker their wages and don’t expect something for nothing.