thanks for all who are interested in this discussion,
Some ministers "such as myself" receive support to re-invest it back into things that will build up the ministry. For example: Better Aduio-visual equipment, wear & tear on Keyboards Guitars etc.
It is an awesome thing to be able to do ministry full-time and being able to focus on that exclusively. Especially if GOD has given you the gifts, talents, abilities and you have the knowledge and maturity to go along with it.
Right now, I am a Unit Supply Sergeant in the U.S. Military but I know that GOD did not call me to be a supply guy. He called me to be a minister or music: to spread the word through teaching & through song!
I am here due to some past mistakes. Of course he is still using me where I am, but I know that his desire is for me to be in a place where I can focus exclusively on the ministry that he's placed in my family and not "how to send supply support that will help our soldiers KILL foreigners. We are all GOD's people and thou shall not kill period.
But when we "the ministry" don't support one-another we sometimes wind up in these type of jobs. Iron sharpens Iron & I am my brother's keeper!
Is it wrong to hold positions such as Carmen, Kirk Franklin, Byron Cage, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Paul Morton, kenneth Copeland (and the list goes on)? These people where elevated to their positions by GOD through their obedience to him and committment to his ministry. They should not have to spread the word to the world and then chase the Garbage truck for a living. I'm not saying it's wrong, but we should want the best for them because it is their obedience which brings the lost to Christ.
What Does The Lord Say About Support For His Ministers?
1 CORINTHIANS 9:14 NKJ
14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
GALATIANS 6:6 NKJ
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
ROMANS 15:27 NKJ
27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
1 TIMOTHY 5:17-18 NKJ
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
1 TIMOTHY 5:17 TEV
17 The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Many think ministers should be poor, but Scripture says they should receive double pay! Many also think their giving is charity to help out the poor preacher.
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines charity as: kindly liberality and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; aid given to those in need; public provision for the relief of the needy.
The Lord views it differently. The minister works for Him. He did not expect ministers to be the needy or suffering, barely getting by. God's will is not that His ministers lack what they require to accomplish their task. (That is the devil's will, though!)