The right of financial support and its basis

I. The purpose of financial support

1.to provide for the basic needs (v.4)

2. to provide for the family (Apostles, brothers of the Lord and Peter) (v.5)

3.to refrain from job so as to fully dedicate to do God’s work (remunerated) (v.6)

Galatians 6:6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.

Acts 6:1-4 “In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.””

II. The basis of the right of the minister for financial support

1. the argument drawn from general experience - every service is paid for (v.7)

a) the soldier

b) the farmer

c) the shepherd

2. the argument drawn from the Law

a) the ox (v.8-10)

if you you pay for material things which are way more invaluable compared to the spiritual things, how much more you should be willing to pay for spiritual things.

b) the levitical priests (v.13)

3. the argument drawn from corinthian experience

a) other preachers were paid for their ministry (v.12)

4. the argument drawn from Jesus’s teaching and practice

a) Jesus’s teaching (v.14)

Luke 10:7 “Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages..”

b) Jesus’ practice

Luke 8.1-3 “Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.”

Objection #1 Didn’t Paul give up his right so that all minister should to the same?

Paul gave up this right only in the church of Corinth, not other churches. For example, in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 “Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, since the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way.”

Why did Paul did not charge the corinthians then? Because greeks back then had a problem with laziness. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 we seek how he points that he gave up his right of financial support so he can be an example of a hard-working person for the Thessalonians: 2 Th 3:6–9. “Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate us: We were not idle among you; 8 we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.”

Objection #2: Didn’t Jesus say free you received, freely give?

a) Don’t do these things

Matthew 10:5-10 “Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: “Don’t take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don’t enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Don’t acquire gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts. Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.”

b) Do these things

Luke 22.35-36 “He also said to them, “When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Not a thing,” they said. Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.”

Answer: the first one was a one-time event, it was apprenticeship for the disciples to get a feeling of how missions are.

Objection #3 Isn’t the hired shepherd bad according to John 10.12?

“The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.”

The text does not accuses the practice of paying a minister, but accuses the minister that is not loving toward his flock and is just sucking the money without any sacrifice. In first century judaism, the teacher were paid. Jesus himself was paid and that does not mean that he was bad.

Objection #4 Does Peter say not to shepherd the flock for dishonest gain in 1 Peter 5:2-3?

“Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Answer: the accent falls on the dishonest gain, that is money that you made without fulfilling your duties or teaching people false things.

Conclusion to objections:

All the texts that seem to talk against ministerial remuneration are actually talking against busing the practice, not against the practice itself.