QUESTION:
Is Tithing; Ten Percent A Law or Ordinance of the New Testament? Should A Pastor, Minister receive A salary, Wages for His Service unto the Lord?
ANSWER:
First of all the pastor should receive wages. This is actually what is referred to as follows:
Gala 6:5-10 For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
"Communicating" here is reference to supporting through finance.
And when Paul wrote 1 Cor 9, he noted that he laboured in a work of making tents to support himself, but he commented to the Corinthians that it was fully his right to forbear that and be supported by the church. It was perfectly God's will for him to cease making tents and instead receive finances from the church. The only reason he did not claim that right was due to particular reasons of not allowing anyone to charge him for simply preaching for money. In other instances all preachers have a right to receive income from the church.
1Cor 9:6-14 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.Jesus likewise indicated that in preaching, the disciples should not stock needs before they go, but expect to receive support from the people they minister to, because the workman is worthy of his meat.
Matt 10:10 Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.The same thing is noted in reference first to widows in need of support, and then to ministers:Luke 10:6-7 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
1Tim 5:16-18 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.The ox was allowed to eat from the field of the one who had the benefit of the ox' work.
So it is abundantly clear in scripture that the minister has right to receive financial support from those to whom he ministers. And regarding tithes specifically, the same right was given the priests in OT times. They lived from the food in the temple offered as sacrifice to God there by the offerers. And a verse we already quoted points out that just as the priests received from offerers in the temple so must those who preach the Gospel live off the Gospel.
...Then this means that TITHES is an ordained manner of income for the minister that has carried on from Old Testament times into New. Sanctioned by God.