Churchwork
08-09-2006, 05:14 PM
Living of the Gospel
Living of the Gospel does not mean drawing a salary in the church. It means doing the work of the Gospel of Christ, not ever asking for anything or expecting from anyone so no one can hold anything against you or the glory of the Church be diminished. If a gift is received it must be an occassional gift only.
The modern day system of paid work in the service of God was unknown in Paul's day.
Sometimes though, in order to support oneself, those in the Work will need to work in the secular world, only because it is needed for them, and this is considered a special circumstance, like Paul who built tents to support himself.
But those who charge for things in the Work are against the Scriptures for never are we to demand such. Books, videos, and all things Christian must be free of charge always so no one can hold anything against you - not make "glorifying void" (1 Cor. 9.15), "without charge" (1 Cor. 9.18.)
Living of the Gospel does not mean drawing a salary in the church. It means doing the work of the Gospel of Christ, not ever asking for anything or expecting from anyone so no one can hold anything against you or the glory of the Church be diminished. If a gift is received it must be an occassional gift only.
The modern day system of paid work in the service of God was unknown in Paul's day.
Sometimes though, in order to support oneself, those in the Work will need to work in the secular world, only because it is needed for them, and this is considered a special circumstance, like Paul who built tents to support himself.
But those who charge for things in the Work are against the Scriptures for never are we to demand such. Books, videos, and all things Christian must be free of charge always so no one can hold anything against you - not make "glorifying void" (1 Cor. 9.15), "without charge" (1 Cor. 9.18.)