Originally posted by Alcott:
Little Timmy, every time Paul and Aquila and Priscilla made a tent to support themselves (Acts 18:3), they took a job instead letting someone else have it, thereby putting someone else who also needs to support himself, over themselves. In your way of thinking, they were violating an unnegotiable Christian tenet.
I like to compete and I like to win. So did Jesus.
Sir, consider the following:
Philippians 2:3-8
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Concerning "taking a job from others" - of course one shouldn't take a job from another, but rarely does such a situation arise. Let's take Paul for an example - let's say he sells a tent on the open market. Of course he should do his best job, make the best tent he can. This should have nothing to do with beating others, but rather doing your daily task as unto the Lord. At this point, others can judge his work and make their purchase decision. At no point would Paul have exalted himself or considered himself better than anyone else, so we have no problems there.
As you know, we are commanded to work, do our best, and not be slothful. This has NOTHING to do with exalting oneself over others.
And when all is said and done, we should ideally share what we earn beyond our basic living expenses with the brethren, so that:
2Co 8:14-15
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
No, not 10% - everything we have is the Lord's, he's purchased us lock, stock and barrel.