XPost: alt.bible, alt.religion.christian.roman-catholic, alt.religion.christian   
   From: dx7066801@gmail.com   
      
   On 3/22/2025 12:16 PM, Christ Rose wrote:   
   > Paul clearly taught that ministers of the gospel have a right to receive   
   > material support, even though he personally declined that support in   
   > certain contexts to avoid putting a stumbling block before others.   
   > "Sincerely" James misrepresents the full counsel of God’s Word on this   
   > issue. While some of the references are accurate, the conclusion   
   > contradicts the teaching of Christ and Paul. Below is a thorough   
   > refutation where needed, and confirmation where accurate, based on   
   > Scripture.   
   >   
   > 1. Misuse of Matthew 10:8   
   >   
   > "Sincerely" James quotes: “You received without paying, give without   
   > pay” (Matthew 10:8, RSV) as a universal command against any material   
   > support for ministry. This verse was part of Jesus’ specific   
   > instructions to the twelve apostles as He sent them out to preach the   
   > kingdom to Israel (Matthew 10:5-10). But in the same context, Jesus   
   > said: “the laborer deserves his food” (Matthew 10:10, ESV). That phrase   
   > reflects the right to receive physical provision for spiritual labor.   
   > Jesus was not forbidding all support; He was forbidding commercializing   
   > the miraculous gifts (like healings or exorcisms). He explicitly told   
   > the apostles to accept hospitality and provision (Luke 10:7), not to   
   > charge fees or profit from their miracles. That is very different from   
   > saying ministers today must never receive pay.   
   >   
   > 2. Misinterpretation of Paul’s Example   
   >   
   > "Sincerely" James rightly cites Paul’s refusal to burden certain   
   > churches (2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 12:14), but he omits Paul’s clear   
   > teaching that ministers do have the right to receive support. Paul’s   
   > personal choice to forgo that right in Corinth was not a universal   
   > pattern for all ministers.   
   >   
   > Paul said plainly: “The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the   
   > gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14, ESV).   
   > This command came from Jesus Himself (see also Luke 10:7). Paul also   
   > argued that just as soldiers, farmers, and shepherds partake of their   
   > labor, so gospel workers should too (1 Corinthians 9:7-11). He then   
   > adds: “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we   
   > reap material things from you?” (1 Corinthians 9:11, ESV). Paul waived   
   > this right in Corinth to avoid hindering the gospel (1 Corinthians   
   > 9:12), but he did not renounce it as wrong or unbiblical. In fact, he   
   > instructed others to financially support elders who labor in the Word:   
   > “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor,   
   > especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture   
   > says… ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’” (1 Timothy 5:17-18, ESV).   
   Paul   
   > quoted Deuteronomy and Jesus to support payment for gospel work.   
   >   
   > Paul also rebuked the Corinthians for failing to support him, and   
   > described how other churches filled in the gap: “I robbed other churches   
   > by accepting support from them in order to serve you” (2 Corinthians   
   > 11:8, ESV). Paul was not ashamed of receiving that support. He only   
   > regretted that Corinth failed to do its part, and he had to rely on   
   > others. That hardly supports the idea that all financial support is   
   > unbiblical—it proves the opposite.   
   >   
   > 3. False Dichotomy Between Salary and Support   
   >   
   > "Sincerely" James distinguishes “provisions” from a “regular salary,”   
   > implying that ongoing support is somehow sinful or man-made. But the   
   > Scripture never makes that distinction. Whether it comes as food, gifts,   
   > or ongoing pay, the principle is the same: believers must support those   
   > who shepherd and teach them. “One who is taught the word must share all   
   > good things with the one who teaches” (Galatians 6:6, ESV). This   
   > principle does not depend on how often or in what form support is given.   
   > Paul received repeated support from the Philippians: “Even in   
   > Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again” (Philippians   
   > 4:16, ESV). Their support pleased God and supplied Paul’s needs, and he   
   > never rebuked them for it.   
   >   
   > 4. Misuse of Paul’s Tentmaking   
   >   
   > "Sincerely" James appeals to Paul’s tentmaking (Acts 18:3), but not   
   > because it was wrong to accept support. Paul made tents temporarily and   
   > strategically, especially in Corinth where false teachers abused   
   > finances. He did accept material help elsewhere (Philippians 4:10-19),   
   > and he commanded others to support faithful teachers. Paul’s choice was   
   > voluntary, not mandatory for all preachers: “Nevertheless, we have not   
   > made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an   
   > obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12, ESV).   
   > A personal sacrifice, freely made, does not revoke God’s ordinance.   
   >   
   > 5. Misapplication of 2 Thessalonians 3:8 and 1 Corinthians 11:1   
   >   
   > "Sincerely" James uses Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 3 and 1   
   > Corinthians 11 to suggest that accepting support for gospel work   
   > contradicts apostolic example. Paul exhorted believers to follow his   
   > example of not being idle or taking advantage of others (2 Thessalonians   
   > 3:6-10), especially those who refused to work. But this has no bearing   
   > on faithful ministers being supported by those they serve. Paul’s   
   > command was to imitate his self-discipline, not his refusal of gospel   
   > pay. When Paul says “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1   
   > Corinthians 11:1), he refers to Christlike humility and love—not   
   > vocational tentmaking.   
   >   
   > Conclusion   
   >   
   > "Sincerely" James fails to rightly divide the Word of truth. While he   
   > correctly points out that Paul sometimes worked with his hands, he   
   > falsely concludes that paid ministry contradicts the teachings of   
   > Christ. Both Jesus and Paul taught that faithful ministers have the   
   > right to receive material support. The sin lies not in receiving   
   > support, but in peddling the Word for selfish gain (2 Corinthians 2:17).   
   > Scripture condemns greed and manipulation—not faithful compensation.   
   >   
   > Every believer who feeds on God’s Word has a God-given responsibility to   
   > share with the one who teaches him (Galatians 6:6). Elders who labor in   
   > preaching and teaching deserve not only honor but support (1 Timothy   
   > 5:17-18). Paul’s example was one of sacrificial love, not a model for   
   > rejecting rightful support.   
   >   
      
       Thank you. Good post.   
      
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