- Jan 6, 2012
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In Paul's time when few bibles existed, supporting and giving double honor to those who dedicated their lives to studying the scrolls, in order to convey their content to the masses, made sense. But even then supporting those men wasn't tithing. It was giving out of love for GOD's work.JB_Reformed Baptist said:So tell me, how are those who labour in word to be kept? As the scriptures say:
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1Ti 5:17-18 - Deut 25:4
How and where does he pull this magical wage, if no-one tithes? Even the beast was allowed to nibble along the way to keep up strength as it laboured.
Nowadays that economy really doesn't make much sense. Figuratively speaking, you can bump into just about any tree these days and several bibles will fall out. The literacy rate in this era is much higher, so most people are able to read the bible themselves. Also, electricity allows us to study well after sunset, which makes working an occupation and being a student of the bible possible.
I labor in the word, and no one supports me. Yet I can run circles around many pastors and elders who are paid. I labor in it because I love it, and give freely to others so that we can all be blessed.
In many respects, the pastor-church model has become a service industry to serve the felt needs of lazy people who want to be spoon fed a fast-food spirituality.