A few friends of mine on Facebook were commenting today about the low pay for teachers.  So, what do we do with this all-important, always-resurfacing issue?

When I first started teaching I was receiving exceptionally low pay, which I was essentially oblivious to since I was still living at home and not trying to actually live off of my income.  As time went on, though, I became more aware of typical professional pay through my siblings’ experiences and quickly realized my lower salary.  I responded with frustration.  A problem-solver at heart, I could not find a way to overcome this “problem” in Christian education, and I began to feel angry that we as teachers were underpaid with few or no benefits to help compensate.

At some point, the Lord impressed upon me the choice that I have in choosing my profession, and thereby the choice that I have in salary.  I fell in love with teaching, and I found that the blessings of ministry far outweighed the inconveniences of low pay. 

I am in the midst of Dave Ramsey’s financial training through my church, and Dave is constantly saying, “Live like no one else so that you can live like no one else.”  I was joking about this comment yesterday with a fellow teacher saying that we as teachers are living like no one else and someday we will live like no one else.   By focusing on the ministry of my job, I am better able to understand the incredible payback that I receive above and beyond my paycheck.

I do not have my head in the sand.  Sometimes the money monster rears its ugly head and gets me coveting and jealous of other’s secure, comfortable, and carefree living.  Sometimes I think, “If only I made ___ amount of money, I could…”   Conversely, I also think, “I could have their job and never make a difference in someone’s life.  I could be limited to two weeks of vaction a year.  I could be working with unsaved people wishing for the fellowship of the brethren.”  This is just the beginning of the list that keeps all of us in our jobs, earning less than most, and pouring ourselves into our ministries.

Every career seems to come with its own set of cons.  Pay scale is one of those cons that all teachers must come to terms with in order to continue teaching.  If you do not settle this for yourself, you will continually be frustrated and eventually become bitter.  If you are currently frustrated with your pay, I recommend asking your fellow teachers how God has provided for them lately.  You will be surprised at how intimately He is involved in our lives.  Or, you may want to find out what other teachers are doing this summer or on their next vacation.  I am continually amazed at what incredible experiences teachers have had that were not affected by their income.  I can guarantee that you will come away praising God for His amazing provision for His own.