The whole idea surrounding the question, “Is it right to hire a preacher?” stems from the idea that it is wrong to pay a person to preach the Gospel of Christ.  Some would inform everyone that he is to “plow in hope” of his reward which he shall receive in Heaven.  Therefore, they say, it is wrong for a preacher to be compensated for his efforts here on earth.
     Let us take a closer look at the verse from which “plow in hope” comes.  Is says, “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” (1 Cor. 9:10).  Now we do understand that in context the passage is talking about being compensated for preaching the Gospel.  Yet, to say that “plow in hope” means that a preacher is not to be compensated while on earth is to contradict the rest of the verse in which it is found.  Paul said, “....that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.”  What does it mean to be a partaker of his hope?  I believe we can look to the context to find the answer.
     Paul writes, “Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and [as] the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 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? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 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? 10 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. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 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. 13 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? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel”  (1 Cor. 9:4-14).
     Two things are imediately significant.  First is the examples Paul uses.  It would be luticrous to think that a person would go to war for his country and have to furnish everything himself.  Furthermore, the people who tend the vinyard and the people who tend the flocks are permitted to eat of the blessings of their work.
     The second thing is how Paul paralels the preaching of the Gospel with the workers of the temple of the Old Testament times.  They were supported by the donations and sacrifices of the people.  Then he says, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (v.14).  The exaples and comparisons here noted are designed to show that it is right to support a preacher out of the church treasury.