| 1 Peter 5:2 2 Feed the flock of God that is among you, serving as an overseer, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre [money], but readily;2 [Paul also wrote of those who preached for filthy lucre: "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things they ought not to teach for filthy lucre's sake". Titus 1:10-11.] | Matthew 10:8 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons; freely you have received, freely give.1 [Jesus did not charge his disciples for teaching them; Jesus taught them the things of God without asking them to pay. Jesus is telling his disciples that they should also not charge for teaching, preaching, or working miracles in the future. Paul, Peter, and Jude also taught the same. Even the Old Testament forbids taking money for preaching, teaching, or healing. Charging for teaching, preaching, or working miracles includes: a salary, taking up collections, soliciting a love gift, and even calling for tithes after Jesus, (springing from the tribe of Judah), cancelled the Levite priesthood and became the unchangeable priest.] | John 10:11-13 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. [To be one of His sheep, you must belong to Him, be free from all sin, and be in union with Him. From the Word of the Lord within: "If you are still sinning, you belong to sin and not to Me. Listen to and obey my voice; listen to my sweet words of wisdom. If you pay attention and obey, it results in union with God. He joins with our cleansed nature. We must become like Him to merge with Him."] 12 The hireling [working for a salary] does not own the sheep like the [good] shepherd; so when he sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and flees. Then the wolf seizes the sheep and scatters them. [The hireling is a preacher taking a salary, soliciting contributions, or soliciting love gifts; he works for money, and he is not leading the sheep because of his love for them. So, when any danger threatens, he abandons the congregation. In contrast, because a good shepherd loves the sheep, he will risk his life to save the sheep. A true preacher is authorized by the Lord, has been perfected by the Master, and the Lord dwells in him, guiding his every action and his every word.] 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling [working for pay], and does not love the sheep.2 [Jesus spoke against preachers who work for money, as did Peter, as did Paul, as did Jude, as does the Old Testament.] | Isaiah 55:1-2 1 "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and he who has no money, come, buy and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread? And your hard-earned money for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.1 [Note! To listen is to eat the bread of life, who is Jesus; his words that he speaks to you impart the life of God.] | 2 Corinthians 2:17 17 For we are not like so many, who peddle the word of God for profit; but we are speaking in Christ in the presence of God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.2 [From the Word of the Lord within: "The gregarious make a living teaching the scriptures. We stand in the presence of God speaking forth His words as commanded." Unless you are sent to specific person(s), and unless you then only speak words as commanded, you are seeking your own glory: He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent him, that man is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him. John 7:18 ] | 1 Corinthians 9:18 18 What is my reward then? Truly, that when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel of Christ without charge,1 so that I do not abuse my right in the gospel. | 1 Thessalonians 2:5 5 For we did not come with flattering words at any time, as you know, nor with a pretext for covetousness [seeking your money]; God is our witness. [For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially of the circumcision; Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things they ought not to teach, for filthy lucre's sake.Tit 1:10-11.] | 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread without paying for it, but labored and toiled night and day, so that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 Not because we did not have the right, but to make ourselves an example for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." [This applies to preachers also; Paul just stated in the previous verse, he worked as an example to all believers, which would include preachers.] | 2 Peter 2:3 3 And in their covetousness they will make merchandise of you with deceptive words; from long ago their judgment has not been idle, and their damnation has not slumbered.1 [For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things they ought not to teach for filthy lucre's sake. Titus 1:10-11.] | |