A PASTOR'S WORK AND A PASTOR'S PAY

The Apostle Paul addresses these delicate issues in I Corinthians 9.  

First off, I'm not sure that the Apostle Paul viewed himself as a pastor.  He did view himself as an apostle - and he hotly defended himself in that role.  He probably fits more into the role of a travelling evangelist or church planter.  In doing so, he constantly supported himself by being a tent-maker on the side.  This is how he became friends with Priscilla and Aquilla (they were also tent-makers - a trade common and necessary to their day).  

Paul was proud that he provided for himself.  However, he consistently purported that he had the right to draw support from the church.  

If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?  If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more?  [vs.11-12]

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."  [I Timothy 5:18-19]

Paul is crystal clear about his reason for supporting himself:

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.  We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:  "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."   [II Thessalonians 3:7-10] 

"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes."  [from Mary T. Lathrap's poem published in 1895. The original title of the poem was Judge Softly, later titled Walk a Mile in His Moccasins.]

The Apostle didn't say a lot about the stress of ministry, but we do have the conclusion of his record of sufferings from I Corinthians 11:

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.  [v.28]

Perhaps only a committed pastor can speak to this issue.   The joys and rewards of the pastoral role are significant!  However the toll is also arduous.  

To be clear, most parishioners need to be a bit more concerned about the level of support they're providing for their pastor.  At the same time, most pastors need to be somewhat more aware that God is their Source and trust Him to provide for their needs.  

Paul's incentive was to get a crown that will last forever.  [v.25]  A pastor who has this kind of motivation will not likely want for anything.  :-)