marksman said:
And where does it say all this in scripture? As I see it offerings in scripture were for the purpose of supporting Apostles whilst they were travelling, the poor and the needy and widows that devoted themselves to prayer so they could not earn an income.
Not ONCE does it say they are to be used to pay staff; preachers; used for buildings or pastors.
It sounds like to me that you are making scripture support your experience rather than making your experience support scripture.
Marksman,
I'm afraid your post is quite confusing to me. Which part of what I said do you believe not be be supported by scripture?
I said, "
it is true that not everyone is called to preach". That to me seems like a universal truth in the Bible as not everyone in the Bible was a preacher. However, it is supported directly by scripture when Paul directly addressed it in 1 Cor 12:15-31.
I said, "
but if you do find one, support him both in word and with the bucks". Do you require that a preacher should be supported with encouraging words and financially? Gal 6:6 says "let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." That certainly covers both. 1 Thes 2:9 says that Paul didn't want to be held chargable to them, so he (and his men) preached the Gospel. Jesus himself said in Luke 10 that the workman was worthy of his hire, and he even went as far to say don't take your purse or script with you, but they that you preach to shall support your needs. Furthermore, you can see more of such in 1 Cor 9.
I also said, "
He has to eat too, and it is better that he can rely on the offering to feed himself and focus on the word". Is that what you object to? You said yourself the offerings were used to support the apostles while they were travelling. I've already mentioned 1 Thes 2:9
Not once did I mention anything about about paying staff or buildings. Where'd that come from? Preachers and pastors, yes I can with the Bible prove that they should be compensated for their preaching. If they are ministers of God, then you should pay due tribute (Romans 13:6).
Now, again, I didn't mention staff or buildings.... I can talk about that as well (directly from the Bible), but since I didn't bring it up initially, I'm not going to. However, I really don't see your objection to anything I said.