Apostolic Fathers: Didache
Chapter 13 1 Every true prophet, who wishes to dwell among you, is worthy of his food. 2 Like the workman, every true teacher is also worthy of his food. 3 Therefore every firstfruits you bring of the wine press and of the threshing floor, of oxen and of sheep, you will take and give the firstfruits to the prophets. They are your high priests. 4 If you don't have a prophet, give it to the poor. 5 If you make bread, take the firstfruits and give it according to the commandment. 6 Likewise when you open jars of wine or oil, take the firstfruits and give to the prophets. 7 Take the firstfruits of silver and clothing and every possession, whatever may be given to you, and give it according to the commandment. “The laborer deserves his wages” (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18). This is especially true among those of the clergy. They do not labor for themselves. They labor for the benefit of the souls around them. Jesus entrusted these souls to their care. So the pastor “is worthy of his food” because his focus should not be on his material needs. His focus should be on the proclamation of the Gospel. There are instances, as evidenced by St. Paul, where the pastor needs to have a second job so that the congregation isn't burdened by providing for the pastor and his family (1 Thessalonians 2:9). The congregation should provide a salary for their pastor unless it is absolutely incapable of doing it. The Teaching illustrates ways for how the congregation may provide for their pastor from the blessings God has given them, even if those blessings have not included the finances to give the pastor a regular salary. The Israelites were instructed in the sacrificial laws to provide for the Levites. God did not allow the Levites to own property. Their obligation was for the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Their focus was for their ministry before the Lord. Because they did not own livestock or farmland, portions of the sacrifices were given to the priests to provide for their families (Leviticus 2:3, 10; 7:6, 9-10, 14). In this provision, it was the firstfruits of the offerings that were given to the priest. This is also why the largest portion of most congregations' budgets is provision for their pastor (salary, insurance, housing, car allowance, etc.). The firstfruits of the congregation belongs to their pastor. If there is no pastor, then these same firstfruits should be given to the poor. We will always have the poor with us (John 12:8). They need to be provided for as well. The congregation's firstfruits should not stay with the congregation. God doesn't call us to stockpile our wealth for a rainy day. God calls us to use our wealth to help others.