Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
How does a minister work with his hands like Paul did to support the poor members of the congregation while simultaneously foregoing work to just minister full time with a salary from the church?
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Did Paul work his entire missionary journey’s to support the poor, or was he speaking to the elders of Ephesus specifically.
2 Corinthians 11:7-8
7...... Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8......I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
Was Paul working with his hands or receiving wages for ministry.
Just like Paul, ministry must use wisdom and also remain flexible.
Wisdom tells me, that I should teach established saints to support the work of God. It is not a teaching I would use to evangelize the lost.
Flexibility tells me I need to adapt to the abilities and resources of my present field of labor. I would give up the small salary I receive tomorrow if my church family had need for me to do so.
I think these where essentially the things Paul was teaching