None of this is to say that people should not give. The workman is worthy of his hire. Some people have the attitude about pastors: “We will keep him poor, You God keep him humble”, as though the preacher worked for them and not for God. Some people say, “If God meant this project to go He would supply the money without you asking.”. This is like saying, “If God meant us to fly, He would have given us wings.”.
Nothing said here means that the ministry is somehow not practical. Businesses are practical. If they spoke this way in business they would be broke. We are to ask in ministry. We are to raise funds in ministry. We should boldly raise funds. We have nothing to be ashamed of. This is for the good.
People should be free to give, without feeling as though their rights have been disrespected when it is asked of them. They should not live selfish lives. We should not have to ask for money, but people get selfish and neglect the ministry of the gospel. We should all be generous towards the ministry of the word, at all times, in season and out of season, when the economy is up, or when it is down.
Some people are slow to give to God. They do not pay their bills this way, but when it comes to the gospel they are slow, keeping the ministry of the word waiting. Others have given more than they can and have personal need. We are not suggesting that people do this. We do not want people to give when they need the money. God does not want people to do this. It is a personal choice.
We do not give back to people who support the gospel, in a monetary sense. People have said to us, “We have given to the mission, but you have not prophesied to us, you have not sent us a monthly word!” No, we “rob” from one and give to another, as Paul did. We will not raise funds for God’s work by promising people something in return. This is wrong, especially if we just send prophecies to get donations.
I have robbed other churches, taking wages from them, to do you service. (2 Cor 11:18).
Paul would not take money from the Corinthians to support himself. This was to cut off the boast of the false apostles, so he might win the Corinthians back to the love of Christ (2 Cor 11:10-12). There are reasons why we take from one and preach to another. Someone said, “Pay for the hamburger where you eat it”, meaning, give only to your church. How will others get a hamburger, if we just think of ours?
Paul raised money for missions. He asked for it. Are we willing to give back, in ministry? Yes, if people are willing to have our ministry of the word. We are strongly desirous to give to all in this way. Paul desired help to help others and he also desired to impart ministry in Christ to those who helped.
When I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you (at Rome). For I trust to see you in my journey and to be brought on my way from there by you, if first I be somewhat filled by your company. (Rom 15:24).
Here Paul is asking the Roman believers to help support his mission to Spain. In fact, he sees this as their responsibility as believers. So we are responsible to give. Nothing we are saying here means that people should be slack in giving. If we do not give it shows the selfishness of the heart. It is not love. It shows that Christ has done nothing in us.
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves...For even as Christ pleased not Himself, but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached You (Father), fell upon Me. (Rom 15:1, 3).
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