When Does A Preacher Become Guilty...

KMK · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 06:18 PM

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1 Cor 9:13,14 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

In light of what Matt is going through and since there are so many church planters and bivocational preachers on PB (including myself), when does a bivocational preacher become guilty of seeking to 'live' of the world instead of the gospel?

The Levites were not allowed, under ideal circumstances, to seek additional income by neglecting their duties to pursue worldly employment. At what point does a preacher of the gospel become guilty of the same? I understand that church situations are not always ideal and that Paul himself had make his own way. But Paul also rebukes the Corinthians for not providing for his needs. He admits that it is not ideal.

So... at what point do we, by 'mending tents' *enable* a church to not do their duty of providing a living for their preacher? We all know we do not have the time to do all that should be done. At what point do we say, "Forget it. Obviously God does not want a church planted here."?

KMK · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 09:27 PM

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Originally Posted by trevorjohnson

There are situations, however, that require it of course (planting churches in barren soil, mission work in closed countries, etc)..but the general rule is to lay aside all secular labors I believe.

And that is the crux of my question. At what point does the church planter become guilty of not laying aside all secular labors? What if growth is very slow? Does the answer lie in attendance? giving? If the plant is not supporting its own pastor by 3 years time is it time to close up shop?

eternallifeinchrist · #3 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 12:29 AM

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Originally Posted by KMK

And that is the crux of my question. At what point does the church planter become guilty of not laying aside all secular labors?

What if growth is very slow? Does the answer lie in attendance? giving? If the plant is not supporting its own pastor by 3 years time is it time to close up shop?

I am not sure that that is a requirement. By 'laying aside all secular labors,' do you mean work that is just like any person's job? Acts 18 outlines that Paul went to see them, stayed and worked...v.5 devoted himself exclusively to preaching..that Jesus was the Christ.' Seems he worked when he found some nice people to work with and share this joy, and preached when his friends, Silas and Timothy came.

Then God told him to 'keep on speaking' and Paul stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word. BTW could people who took a vow work? Just wondering. v. 18 Sorry, but I cannot address the Levitical thing because I do not know how it all relates / applies to church structure.

I have never heard of there being a marker for not doing a church plant. Won't God either move you out or keep you there?

A5pointer · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 10:56 AM

The text you are using from 1 Corinthians is in an argument against eating idol meat in cultic settings, nothing to do with the question you are asking of it.

KMK · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 11:18 AM

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Originally Posted by A5pointer

The text you are using from 1 Corinthians is in an argument against eating idol meat in cultic settings, nothing to do with the question you are asking of it.

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1 Cor 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Words of widom from the great C. Hodge:

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...as God had ordained under the Old Testament, so also the Lord (i.e. Christ) had ordained under the New. Christ has made the same ordinance respecting the ministers of the gospel, that God made respecting the priests of the law...It was a command to ministers themselves not to seek their support from secular occupations; but to live of the gospel, as the priests lived of the temple...This is the law of Christ, obligatory on
ministers and people; on the latter to give, and on the former to seek a
support from the church and not from worldly avocations. There are
circumstances under which, as the case of Paul shows, this command
ceases to be binding on preachers. These are exceptions, to be justified,
each on its own merits; the rule, as a rule, remains in force.

I am, and many on PB are, one of those *exceptions*. What are the merits on which these exceptions are to be justified?

A5pointer · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 01:05 PM

I think if you examine the text in context of chapters 8-10 it would be hard to justify Hodge's interpretation.

KMK · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 01:27 PM

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Originally Posted by A5pointer

I think if you examine the text in context of chapters 8-10 it would be hard to justify Hodge's interpretation.

Are you sure you are reading 1 Corinthians?