Second, Christians should be rewarded for their ministry work.
We have this idea that because someone is in “full-time” ministry that they should give their time and effort away for free. But Paul told the Galatians that “one who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches” (Galatians 6:6).
In other words, those who benefit from the teaching ministry of others should support those who teach.
How this works out in real life often differs. Some work full-time and get their sole paycheck from a Christian organization. Others are “tent-makers” who, like Paul for a season, offer their ministry work on a part-time or free basis. Still, there are many who have some combination of an agreement.
But, the principle still stands: There is nothing wrong with someone getting paid for their Christian content (music, books, preaching, etc). In fact, there is everything right.
Third, by depriving Christians of payment for their work, at times we could be causing them to disobey Scripture.
Scripture says that a man who doesn’t provide for his family is “worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).
Sometimes in our desire to demand free Christian content or when we grow upset at Christian organizations for charging for content or services, we forget that the men and women working in those organizations would like to feed their families, have health insurance and own homes just as we do. Many serve and work at drastically reduced rates.
They consider their vocation a calling, a mission, a chance to serve the body of Christ. But, that doesn’t mean they should work for free.
Imagine if you were asked to do your job for free—if you had no paycheck to take home to support your wife and children? Imagine if someone demanded you do your job for free? You wouldn’t do that. You couldn’t do that. And neither should we expect editors, writers, web guys, recording artists, pastors etc. to give us the best and most edifying Christian content without cost.
Of course, there are many caveats to this. There are legitimate and illegitimate ways to make money in the Christian world. There are, sadly, pastors who fleece their flocks and live lavish lifestyles off the backs of poor widows. There are some who claim that financial prosperity is a sign of God’s blessing. This wicked and destructive teaching is anti-gospel. And there are times when Christian organizations make decisions based on revenue streams rather than what is enriching for the body of Christ. That is wrong.
But let’s trust that these are a few examples out of the many faithful believers who serve the body well and deserve to be paid fairly for their labors.
Let’s not simply rush to the conspiratorial idea that “that publisher/organization/church/pastor is just out to make money.” You actually don’t know that. It could be they are serving with an earnest desire to bring the good news of the gospel to those who need to hear it.
