𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 – 𝐀 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭
Ministry and Money – A Biblical Concept It is likely that Paul knew the story of Jesus sending out the Twelve, as told in Matthew 10:1, 5–15; Mark 6:6b–13; and Luke 9:1–6 (and also the sending of the seventy-two in Luke 10:1–12). A key part of these stories is Jesus’ guidance about how the disciples should be supported—especially with food and lodging. In general, Jesus told them not to bring money, extra clothes, or food (Mark 6:8). Instead, they were to rely completely on the hospitality of the people they were serving while preaching and healing (Luke 9:6). This also applied to lodging: they were to stay with the first person who welcomed them and not move from house to house (Luke 10:7). If no one welcomed them in a town, they were to leave and shake the dust off their feet as a sign of rejection (Luke 9:5). In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus adds a key principle: “The worker is worthy of his food” (Matt 10:10) or “The worker is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7). In other w...