Should people financially profit from their ministry?

This question was recently raised by my friend Vic on a message forum.

Just some facts to consider when thinking about this question. Perhaps it can help you make a better informed decision.

Paul refused to accept financial support from the Corinthians.

Paul however accepted financial support from other Churches.

One reason that people offer for the differences is that in Corinth, Paul suspected that his opponents would accuse him of having ill motives–doing ministry just for the money.

However, it was a no win situation for Paul because his opponents then question his apostolic status for refusing money. They basically still question his motives since Peter took advantage of the money given to them for his work. They basically questioned whether he was truly an Apostle.

Paul’s defense is found in 1 Corinthians 9. He argues that as an apostle he does have the right to material gain through the idea of work, even through spiritual work (vs. 11).

AND, since Paul argues on the basis of natural law and the written law, the idea is not limited to the clergy but to anyone.

Paul then says,”In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”

Indeed Jesus did command something like this:

Matthew 10:10

Luke 10:7

Seems however then that Paul simply took advantage of his liberty in not accepting financial earnings from his work in Corinth.

The important thing to note is that Paul has offered an argument for why he has refused financial earnings from the people at Corinth, notice that he is not condemning or saying that the rest of the Apostles should follow suit.

While I do see some merit in ministers, preachers, whoever, materially gaining off of their spiritual work, Paul’s liberty does reveal how at times we should be very mindful of who is watching us. Paul did not want in Corinth to have his right of accepting money to be a stumbling block to some. Likewise, as ministers, Christian rappers, pastors, preachers, etc, let us be careful what we do with the money we earn from ministry. I have seen people enjoy luxury off of their spiritual work. Material gain should not be interpreted as luxurious living.  Furthermore, the idea should always be living to do ministry not doing ministry to live even though the latter is most certainly within our rights, otherwise, we will only do ministry so that we can get the latest gadget or most stylish clothing, etc, etc.