| 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.] | |||||||||
2 Feed the flock, what? The Word of God, which they are taught by the Spirit, which they are authorized to teach by the Spirit. But not for filthy lucre. If a preacher is taking a salary from the congregation, he is violating Peter's command: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre [money]. 1 Peter 5:2. And Jesus said: a hired hand cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:11-13; and freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give. Mat 10:8. And Paul said: For we are not like so many, who peddle the word of God [for profit]; but with sincerity, as being from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 2 Cor 2:17. What is my reward then? Truly, that when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel of Christ without charge. 1 Cor 9:18.
Jesus said: And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Luke 10:5-8. So here Jesus says, eat and drink such things as they give, because a worker worthy is hire. This is the wages that Christ allows, gifts, which could include a gift of money of course. But if they ask, and someone complies, it is not a gift; a gift is unsolicited. Neither is taking up a collection or taking a salary receiving a gift. To be a gift, it has to be totally unsolicited.
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