Does working and earning one own keep apply to those in full time ministry today? To individual Christians? 540 - 8 - 3

1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove (G1381) all things; hold fast that which is good.”

G1381 - to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.

Paul was very emphatic concerning setting a good example by paying one’s own way in 2 Thessalonians 3:8-12. 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

In total contrast is Tele-evangelist Creflo Dollar.

Creflo Dollar launches appeal to buy $65 million private plane for evangelism

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/televangelist.creflo.dollar.launches.appeal.to.buy.65.million.private.jet.for.evangelism/49887.htm

This article was posted on Facebook and generated many comments including a post referring to Mr. Dollar’s doctrine as “The name it and claim it, grab it and blab it, believe it receive it.” Another poster said that missionaries in Third World countries just want to have a bicycle.

Those Third World missionaries are closer to the dedication of Christ then is Mr. Dollar. Jesus walked the earth for 3 ½ years in sandals in homespun. Luke 9:58, “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Jesus and His disciples “turned the world upside down.”

Jesus said in Matthew 10:10, “Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” IMO, this applies to those in full-time Bible-based ministry today, certainly “the workman is worthy of his meat.”

I find that Matthew 25:30-46 is often quoted to show that Christians are to give to the poor, etc. These verses are in the context of the Sheep and Goat judgment which I understand is judgment based on treated the brethren of Jesus, the Jews.

Sluggards are criticized in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:”

Proverbs 13:4, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”

Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

Proverbs 10:4, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

Proverbs 19:15, “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”