XPost: alt.bible, alt.religion.christian.roman-catholic, alt.religion.christian
From: usenet@christrose.news
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Mon, 24 Mar 2025 13:26:15 -0400
<30m2uj1tmdb71lc4c1dneipt58q30obj9i@4ax.com>
"Sincerely" James wrote:
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> I usually don't like to name names in my postings, but since you did
> mine, I will return the favor, Christ Rose.
Why would it matter if you included someone's name in the response? Even
so, since "christrose.news" is included in every message ID, it's at the
top of your post anyway, in the visible headers.
> After all your criticizing below,
There is no "below". You removed my entire article. That's fine. I
removed yours also. If you're going to say "below", however, it ought to
be below.
> you did not discuss the main theme
> of my posting: preaching for PROFITS. PROFITS IS THE KEY WORD.
• Did you not notice that I started a new subject line, or that I did
not include your original content in the article? Show where any content
in my article was inconsistent with what the Bible teaches. My content
is consistent with my subject line, and with what the Bible teaches.
• Your article is based on a more narrow consideration of what the Bible
says. You hand-picked a few verses, and avoided others that give the
full picture.
> I once worked at a motel, and a Baptist preacher came in to get a
> room. After he left, he also left a small booklet that he forgot to
> take with him.
>
> It was a listing of all the expenses for his church. (Baptist) He got
> a high salary (much more than me)...
Covetousness is resenting that others receive more than you do. That's
why we have the failed systems of communism and socialism.
> The church gave him a house to live
> in, and a late model car to drive. The yard workers all got paid, as
> well as the janitors. The choir director got a salary, as well as his
> or her assistance ones.
>
> Yes, he got a little nest egg. (racket) Is that what the Bible shows
> us for the workers need their wages? Yes, he was raking it in. You and
> he was ignoring Paul's example. Paul WORKED for his necessities so as
> not to be a burden.
• idem. Giving, in the Bible, is supposed to be from a willing, cheerful
heart, not grudgingly or of necessity (2 Corinthians 9:7). If you cannot
give willingly, then don't give anything.
• The Bible also says that you are not required to give beyond your
means (2 Corinthians 8:12). If you cannot afford to give material
resources, then you can give of your time and service (2 Corinthians
8:5; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:16).
With those qualifiers, Paul defended the right of the one who preaches
the gospel to earn a living from the gospel:
“My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat
and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do
also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or is it
only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever
goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat
of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the
flock? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the
same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle
an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?
Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt,
this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who
threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown
spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material
things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even
more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things
lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who
minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who
serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the
Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the
gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:3–14, NKJV)
Observe"
• No soldier goes to war at his own expense (1 Corinthians 9:7).
This implies that a gospel minister should receive provision for all
necessary ministry-related expenses—travel, equipment, study materials,
training—just as a soldier is supplied by the one who sends him. It's
not just the bare-minimum food and clothing.
• The one who plants a vineyard eats of its fruit (9:7).
And
• The one who tends a flock drinks of the milk of the flock (9:7).
These examples imply an ongoing share in the benefits of one’s labor,
not merely temporary or minimal sustenance.
• The law says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the
grain” (9:9).
This teaches that the laborer should freely partake in the fruits of his
work.
• He who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should
be partaker of his hope (9:10).
This expresses the right to expect a return and ongoing support from
gospel labor.
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap
your material things? (9:11).
“Material things” covers more than food and clothing. It includes
housing, supplies, transportation, tools, and anything needed for life
and ministry.
Others are partakers of this right over you (9:12).
The church already supported others; Paul and Barnabas had an even
stronger claim.
Those who minister in the temple eat of the temple offerings (9:13).
Priests lived entirely from their ministry. This implies full provision
for those in gospel service.
The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from
the gospel (9:14).
“Live from the gospel” includes all that is necessary to sustain life
and carry out the ministry faithfully.
If he thought it would hinder his gospel ministry, then Paul yielded his
right to those things. But you can't say it's wrong for a minister to
receive the amount of support that he and his family need to live on.
> Notice what Paul said:
>
> "Keep on teaching these things and giving these exhortations. 3 If any
> man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words,
> those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with
> godly devotion, 4 he is puffed up [with pride], not understanding
[continued in next message]
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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