The scripture says a worker is worth his wages. However, nowadays many like to take advantage of that and see how far they can take it. Paul was the exact opposite; he looked for ways he could avoid taking advantage of it. Let's see, who should I listen to, greedy opportunists or the apostle Paul?
Things would certainly appear to be more complex these days, and rightly so, we have more information ("knowledge shall increase"). So that increase means an increase in the overall landscape of discerning factors.
Even so, Paul simply had another job and made his own money. One could say that lets any would-be worker off the hook, if they just have other sources of income. Which doesn't actually make for a clear indication of who is to be regarded as true or a good servant worthy of his wage. Thus, it is all still a matter of discerning, which has its own problems. Many "claim" to have Holy Spirit discernment--but even that is suspect when there are a thousand+ different views, each with scriptural claims. Again, it comes down to discernment.
But what is the biblical track record, or since then within the church? Israel's would-be best learned could not discern the coming of Messiah, and the church can only agree within limits.
Where does that bring us--that is, if we are even paying attention and noting all the past and present failures? It puts us in the same shoes, the same hot seat--and what--we're better than those who went before? Yeah, right! No, God has set before us all a need for each of us to choose...and no, we are not likely to be better, and the scriptures declare it. Is it any wonder many passages include "
if", giving what will happen "
if" we choose incorrectly? And when has any generation taken a stand and said, "We will not lean on our own understanding"--
actually?
So...the warnings are there in the scriptures (false teachers, strong delusion, etc.) for a reason...and so is the track record of failures. And what that leaves, is that "
narrow way" less taken. Just as it has always been.
Meanwhile, Solomon had more money not his own than anyone, Paul had another job, and workers come in all shapes and sizes.
