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Standard of Living:
What Should it be for Christian Workers?
Fresh out of seminary, I found myself encircled by a distinguished board of successful doctors, lawyers, and businessmen quizzing me about my expectations for my starting salary as a new staff member at their church. Taking the “spiritual” route, I said I wasn't there for the money—so they paid me only 60% of what my contemporaries made! Looking back, I should have said, “I'm not here for the money. Just pay me a moderate salary. Why don't we just take the average of everyone's salary on this committee and pay me that? Not a penny more.” I would have given a year's salary just to see the look on their faces!
How much should a Christian worker make, and what should be our standard of living? The unwritten rules of the game seem to say it's OK for church staffers (especially of larger churches) to live at a higher level than missionaries who live on support. Deep down, many believers view support-raising as begging, and of course, beggars should barely get by. I wish I knew who made up these double standards!
Meanwhile, author Randy Alcorn claims we're all rich: “If you have sufficient food, decent clothes, live in a house that keeps the weather out, and own a reasonably reliable means of transportation, you are among the top 15% of the world's wealthy. If you have any money saved, a hobby that requires some equipment or supplies, a variety of clothes in your closet, two cars (in any condition), and live in your own home, you're in the top 5%.” So, really, what we're talking about here is whether our staff will be in the top 3, 4, or 5% of the world's wealthy, right? I seek to abide by two principles:
1. Live a Spartan Lifestyle
This wartime way-of-life (not just a primitive simplicity) that is unencumbered with the non-essentials is, according to Pastor John Piper, a “glad hearted austerity that will make any sacrifice for the joy of being on the cutting edge of God's kingdom.” Jesus stripped Himself for spiritual battle—so should we. But making lots of money is not the same as amassing wealth. John Wesley said, make as much as you can and give as much as you can.
2. Maximize Your Fruitfulness
Scott Morton, VP of Development for The Navigators, was asked how much support a Christian worker should raise. He said, “Raise enough to maximize the fruitfulness of your family and ministry.” This is not a health and wealth theology, but neither is it a “poverty = spirituality” mindset. To “maximize fruitfulness” will be different for everyone. It may mean sending kids to a private school or having a high-powered computer or taking a nice vacation—and we should not judge others by our personal choices.
So, should you drive a ‘69 Subaru or a ‘06 Lexus? Probably neither, but let God—not the expectations or standards of others—help you decide!
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February 2006 |
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In the next issue...
Asking Big: Does it Offend or Affirm?
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| About the Author |
 Steve Shadrach is President of The BodyBuilders ministry and Director of Mobilization for the U.S. Center for World Mission. Part of his responsibility is the lifechanging “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” course, offered at 200 locations across the nation. |
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We Americans are so enamored with freedom. We think
we have the right to do what we want with “our” money.
In this area, perhaps more than others, we need to be sure that we are not swayed by our culture—even our own Christian sub-culture. We live in a culture and economy that is market driven—it must sell more to sustain growth.
Many would agree that we should not be strapped by funds in our ministry—yet that can create dependency on God and not our bank accounts, churches, and supporters. I’d suggest it is helpful to make a distinction between ministry funds (which can be large, when needed) and living allowance (or salary—which should be based on need). If we follow this path, and are careful in our spending, we can release more funds for Christ’s global cause.
While we are encouraged in the West to “be ourselves,” the Scriptures teach us to be careful how we come across to others in the church, and around the world. We may not view ourselves as rich, but compared to the rest of the world, we are staggeringly wealthy.
A few years ago, we had a conference at our modest facilities in Pasadena, with people coming from various nations. Many had received help from the conveners of the event to get there and stay there (the $30/day for food and lodging in our on-campus housing was a huge amount to them). A church leasing space on our campus had just purchased new, very nice, soft chairs and we used them for this conference. Some of these international leaders had never sat in chairs like that and questioned whether they were really needed. Most of them would consider themselves fortunate to have enough donated, used, metal chairs for their meetings.
That day I realized afresh we need to be careful how we spend what funds we do have, recognizing we are being watched—not just by Westerners with resources—but also by non-Westerners who live every day without much of what we call “the basics.”
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| About the Author |
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Greg Parsons is the General Director for the U.S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena, CA. He sits on the boards of major mission agencies and networks and has been on support for almost 25 years. |
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