LIVING FROM GOSPEL
1Corinthians 9.13-14
~ 13-14. 'to get their living from Gospel.' Paul purposely mentioned in verse 13 the statue concerning priests of the Lord, who serve GOD offering sacrifices brought by the people of Israel. From those sacrifices priests took a portion for themselves and their families to keep their service to the Lord uninterrupted.
Paul compared this Rule of GOD to the missionary work of those who propagate and proclaiming Gospel being far away from their home, unable to support themselves and their families as they would at home but have right to received donations and support from all good people who are willing to help them.
Paul definitely meant not the money giving to him and to his associates
but only material support in form of food, shelter, transportation, and so on, provided for them from other Christians.
This is why Paul compared his living and living of his associates to the Temple priests who receive their portions from the sacrifices to the Lord. If Temple collected tax, it all have been given to the workers who restoring and fixing the Temple and the rest donated to the poor. This the only case if money had been collected by the Temple.
No one ever among the priest, the prophets, or any man of GOD, and even Jesus Christ and His Apostles, never took any money for their work in the Name of GOD.
Of course, money can be also given to the servants of GOD when no other choice is available, for buying food or pay for room in Inn, or for other needs, but never as a payment for work.
And of course, Paul himself number of times declared with pride that he always support himself and even able to support those who where with him, by working with their own hands. Paul underlined by this statement that he never depended on anyone for his living and never been a burden in anything to anyone.
Paul encouraged other missionaries and servants of the church to do the same, to support themselves and others who are in need, by working with their own hands and avoid depending on others. It is better to give than to receive (Luke 6.38, Luke 14.14) (Acts 20.35).
This commandment of Paul has been overlooked and ignored by main stream Christianity, because the greed of people is much stronger than their conscience. The church has been turning to business for monetary gain and forgot its Spiritual Principals and Ideals on which it has been founded.
While everyone of so called "servants" of GOD perfectly able to support themselves and their families by doing work and receive their salaries elsewhere, they prefer to make their living from people in the church. Church became just like the Temple of GOD when Christ entered it and found in the Holy Place market of sellers and buyers. The schemes of the modern church far and wide and there is no limit of their greed.
Those who on the payroll of the church already received their reward by being paid in monetary value for their "ministry," but those who do their ministry without monetary reward on Earth will receive their Spiritual Reward in Heaven.
Does Jesus Christ collect any money for His missionary work? Does any of the Apostles collected any money for their work? Does any man of GOD or any prophet of GOD ever has been on a payroll or received monetary reward for their prophecy or missionary work?
Why the church established this system of payroll as any other business on Earth does? Because church itself became a business for profit and have very little to do with GOD.
Paul always urging his brothers in Christ not to do such thing as to live at the expense of others, not to be burden to anyone, but support themselves by their own hands and by honest living.
~ Paul's profession and his works to support himself and others:
(Acts 18.1-3, 20.33-35, 28.30-31) (1Corinthians 4.11-12) (1Thessalonians 2.9, 4.11-12) (2Thessalonians 3.6-12)
Teaching for monetary gain: (Micah 3.11) (Acts 20.33-35) (John 10.1-12-13-16) (2Corinthians 2.17, 11.7-8) (1Timothy 6.3-5) (Titus 1.10-11-16) (1Peter 5.2-4)
You received the Gift of the Gospel for free and you shall give it for free.
Matthew 10.8
8. "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, freely you receive, freely give."
Acts 20.35
35. "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak, and remember the Words of the Lord Jesus that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Matthew 10.9-10
9. "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts,
10.or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, the worker is worthy of his support."
Luke 10.
7. "And stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you, the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house."
Luke 14.13-14
13. "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
14. and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
2Thessalonians 3.10
10. "Even when we were with you, we used to give you this order, if anyone will not work, neither let him eat."