Replies

Peace brother,

1-Timothy “17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Please consider the verses cited in light of the full chapter. Money or remuneration is nowhere mentioned in regard to honor or praise...just honor those who labor in the Word. In effect, show respect to elders, and double respect to those who provide leadership or teaching.

Paul worked to pay for his expenses as I am sure you know. He complained about it a couple times...mostly about food and lodging...he wanted to work for his keep outside the Word. Still he ran the full race.

Here is what Jesus said about the hireling priests of the Jewish temple.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. John 10:12

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. John 10:13

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:15

Paid positions in Christianity is a 4th century addition of Roman pagan temple practice to the new faith co-oped to serve government purposes by Constantine.

A much fuller treatment is found in Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna.

Now, I need to go sew some tents.

Wonderful teaching. I agree with those scriptures. I am enamored with the visit of Christ to Capernaum in chapter 17 on Matthew where he is asked to pay the Temple Tax and he say “ a king does not tax his childeren” He then refuses to pay His two Dracma tax himself and tells Peter to go catch a fish and give the tax collectors ( the money changers) the coins in the fishes mouth. Jesus kept His money. Then Jesus spoke in the Temple.