Money & Ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

“For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”  

(1 Thessalonians 2:9)

What do you think about money and ministry? Is it right to be paid for labor in the Kingdom of God? Or should your only reward be the reward of receiving eternal life? The Apostle Paul worked, as we would say today, a 9 - 5 in addition to his work in the Kingdom. The Apostle Paul spoke to the Thessalonians about how hard he and the other apostles  worked outside of ministry so that they would not be a financial burden to the Thessalonian Church. 

Yet, he emphasized that they could have made demands due to their authority as apostles of Christ (v. 6). Paul could have demanded financial compensation for his labor that benefited them. He spoke about this to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:18. Timothy was a new young minister in the gospel and Paul was educating him on what to expect in ministry and how to conduct himself in it. Finances and honor was something that Paul reviewed with him. Paul also mentioned financial compensation for ministers in 1 Corinthians 9. Paul wrote:

“For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an oz while it treads out the grain.’ Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” 

(1 Corinthians 9:9-12) 

Paul says he who plows should do it in hope, that the one who sows spiritual things ought to reap material things from the ones he sows into and that the sower  should receive  all the more than others. In other words, the sower of God’s word, ministers and laborers of the Kingdom,  should receive even more gain than anyone in the world because what type of sowing is better than someone sowing into your soul? 

We sow into celebrities for their talents and entertainment, we leave tips for workers in a restaurant for their labor, and we invest in personal leisure by booking hotels and exotic vacations for our pleasure, but none of these things feed your soul.  It is God’s laborers who work to feed the spirit of mankind, and yet, mankind would rather compensate those who feed their flesh. Even under the Mosaic Law, the priests, who were from the tribe of Levi, received compensation. God said, "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.” (Numbers 18:21).  

Have I painted the picture clear enough for you? Money and ministry goes hand and hand, regardless of what people may think. However, I’d say many people in ministry have grossly misused the finances of others. No one should be in ministry for money, rather for the saving of souls. No one should use the gospel as a hustle to get rich, rather their aim should be to enrich the lives of others with the wealth that is Christ. But sadly, this has happened among believers today.

Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2 that he labored night and day “that we might not be a burden to any of you”. He wrote the same sentiments in 1 Corinthians 9 … that he would not use his right to receive compensation so that he would not hinder the gospel. Paul put the financial burden of meeting his daily needs on himself before he put it on others.

But ministers today put a financial burden on believers just so they can hear a word. Paul had the authority to demand finances, but he didn’t. How have we come so far from this example? God’s ministers, teachers, and preachers  are now charging people just to worship and be edified. I understand that some events, such as conferences, sell tickets because of the price of food and venue. I know this costs money.

Yet, let me draw your attention to Jesus and the disciples after He preached to a crowd of people. In Matthew 14, it is recorded that Jesus preached and when the evening came, the disciples suggested that the crowd go about their way so that they could buy themselves food. But what did Jesus say? He said, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16).

You. You give them something to eat. The charge of feeding the crowd was laid on the disciples. But they said we only have five loaves and two fish. And then, Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the large crowd of 5,000+ people with a very small proportion of food.

I mention this because maybe, just maybe, ministers should trust Jesus to multiply what they have. Why are God’s people relying on the people they minister to to feed them? And why are they charging to feed the souls of others? “You feed them,” said the Lord. The charge to feed the people was laid on the disciples, not the crowd. Feed them spiritual, and will it hurt to feed them physically? Can you afford to do it? Then, do it.

What happened to the old school Christian fellowship? When people came together to feed the crowds? The responsibility of food was never on the crowd. God's laborers always covered that. And if the food and venue costs can't be covered, maybe have a smaller event? Maybe the event shouldn't be an all-day event. Give them the Word, offer an atmosphere of worship, and send them on their way without charging them to attend.

But if you must have an event that requires feeding the multitude, why don’t we trust that God to provide a way to feed them instead of charging them? If you are a minister in a financial runt, why don't you trust the God you preach about to provide for you instead of charging God's people? What if there’s a soul out there that can benefit from your gathering but can’t afford it? 

Listen, I am simply suggesting that we consult God first. Before you charge people for a night of worship, before you charge others to minister to them, seek the Lord. Ask Him, ‘Is it right for me to charge these people?” “Have I made ministry a business? Am I still concerned about My Father’s business? Was I ever concerned about My Father’s business? Or am I only worried about how I can make money from this ministry in the guise of doing things for My Father?

Only the Holy Spirit can properly assess your heart. Ask God to guide you in this. There is a very fine line in money and ministry.  On one hand, yes, it is your right to reap material things for how you have sown spiritually. But on the other hand, are you being led by God on how to attain those material or monetary  gifts? 

Paul and the apostles never requested compensation, but if it was offered, they did not refuse it. Maybe we should be more like Paul. That’s what he suggested in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 

I cannot condemn anyone for reaping financially what they sow spiritually. But I am calling laborers of the Lord to examine themselves. Ask God to reveal the truth of how we handled money and ministry, and adjust accordingly if correction is needed.

Dear reader, that’s all I have for you today. I pray this message has blessed and edified you! And if you are not in ministry to receive compensation as a laborer, perhaps sow into a church, ministry, or minister who has sown into you. And always be open to the Lord showing you how He may want you to minister for His Kingdom.

God bless you and keep you. ‘Til next time, take care. 

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Thank you for reading this week's Write On! Wednesday article. New articles and videos are available every Wednesday at noon. The Now That's A Word! YouTube Channel is here: https://YouTube.com/@nowthatsaword

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Sincerely,

Quin Arrington