Many people have this question. They feel called to "full time ministry" and wonder how to fund themselves, pay their bills and support their families if they do. The answer may come back, "Just trust God and live by faith," which is generally interpreted to mean, "You don't have a set salary, but live on whatever comes in through gifts." Others charge for their services, and may feel guilty when they are attacked and told that Jesus didn’t charge when He ministered the Gospel or that Jesus sent the disciples out and told them to take nothing with them, but enter homes into which they were welcomed and accept what was given them. Hmmmm! So what does the Bible teach about funding ministry?

Would you rather spend a weekend with the committee for the enforcement of doctrinal purity or with a group of people picked at random from the phone book? Correct doctrine is important, so why is this such a dreadful prospect? You are called to judge yourself, but not to judge others. The practice of your faith should make you more pleasant company for other people rather than less. How do you perceive others? Don’t you avoid those who are judgmental? Yet isn’t it also difficult to be around those who make no effort to judge themselves? If you judge yourself and not others you will be a vessel prepared for every good work. 

Have you ever been astounded to think how far God is willing to go to accommodate you? Does it amaze you that the one who spoke worlds into existence is willing to meet you where you are? Shouldn’t it be the other way around, that the lesser should conform to the one who is greater? Yes, but you love because he first loved you. His love is greater so he took the initiative to seek you while you were still a sinner. Do you want to be transformed into his image? Then you should make it your purpose and goal to move away from God conforming to you and toward you conforming to God. 

Do you know of cults who claim to follow me, but their doctrine is contrary to the Bible? Have you noticed that they have another characteristic of isolation and exclusiveness, avoiding contact with outsiders and claiming to be the only true way? Have you also found Christian churches with orthodox Biblical doctrine who have this cult-like property of isolation and exclusiveness? I describe my followers collectively as one body with many members. This means that your identification with me and with the Kingdom of God as a whole should be stronger than your affiliation with your denomination.