1 Corinthians 9:3-12 TPT
So to those who want to continually criticize my apostolic ministry, here’s my statement of defense.
[4] Don’t we apostles have the right to be supported financially?
[5] Don’t we have the right to travel accompanied by our believing wives and be supported as a couple, as do the other apostles, such as Peter the Rock and the Lord’s brothers?
[6] Of course we do! Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to stop working for a living?
[7] Who serves in the military at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not enjoy the grapes for himself? Who would nurture and shepherd a flock and never get to drink its fresh milk?
[8] Am I merely giving you my own opinions, or does the Torah teach the same things?
[9] For it is written in the law of Moses: You should never put a muzzle over the mouth of an ox while he is treading out the grain. Tell me, is God only talking about oxen here?
[10] Doesn’t he also give us this principle so that we won’t withhold support from his workers? It was written so that we would understand that the one spiritually “plowing” and spiritually “treading out the grain” also labors with the expectation of enjoying the harvest.
[11] So, if we’ve sowed many spiritual gifts among you, is it too much to expect to reap material gifts from you?
[12] And if you have supported others, don’t we rightfully deserve this privilege even more? But as you know, we haven’t used that right. Instead, we have continued to support ourselves so that we would never be a hindrance to the spread of the gospel of Christ.

The last part of a person to be born again and the first part to leave a church or ministry is their pocket (finance: money, chequebook). Are yours born again?
Christians, it would seem are unfortunately some of the most reluctant to part with money, they have a reasonable justification not to support ministries and churches.
When the Lord gave instructions for offerings in Leviticus 1-5, each was to serve a specific purpose and to provide for the temples and priests.
God established an offering for the priests and Levites in Deuteronomy 18:1-8, a continuous provision for them since they weren’t allowed to work or own properties, so they can concentrate on their duties to God, the people and the temple.
We no longer live in the era of bartering goods, grains and livestock as offerings and everyone now has bills to pay including the church and ministry offices, it is therefore imperative that we give for the work of the ministry.
Ministry is an essential service and every service need labourers, so Jesus mentions in Luke 10:7 that workers deserve to be paid, which Paul repeats in 1 Timothy 5:18, going further to say oxen shouldn’t be muzzled, that it’s both beneficial and fair for those who labour in teaching and preaching in God’s work be paid. This is primarily so they can devote their time and energy fully to the flock.
If the work of the ministry is not supported, who pays the bills for the buildings, offices, phones, etc.?
How can the workers care for their families and pay their bills if they are in full-time ministry?
According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9, it’s not wrong or a sin to charge for the work of God to serve and for others who’ll need what is supplied.
Is there any reason why Christian ministers and ministries should not receive financial support from the people they serve?
The unscrupulous few use the gospel as a bartering ram for their pockets because of them, the genuine need for financial and material support for ministry are neglected, ignored and ridiculed as greedy.
Have you ever blessed your minister or church with a gift, a free-will offering, a voucher just for the sake of it? These are called the perks of a job, certain benefits enjoyed as God’s servants. The scriptural precept is for those who work hard to be rewarded for their labour.
Paul says if you receive spiritual blessings from your ministry, pastor and church, you should demonstrate your thankfulness to God for their service and labour in tangible ways.
Paul explains that it is a right to expect a reward but so many condemn and castigate churches, ministers and ministries for asking for financial support, billing for an event and raising funds but how do they expect to carry on the work of the ministry if the ones they serve ignore their needs?
Kingdom principle is sowing and reaping and Galatians 6:6 says when you receive the word you should share with the one who teaches the word.
Nehemiah 10:35-37 shows that ministry support is beneficial to the ministers, the church of God, the church or ministry buildings and the body of Christ.
We are all called into ministry; some go, some pray, some give. Now, more than ever, we need to support the work of God through ministries to reach communities.
Your pastors, church, and ministry need your support, don’t miss out on God’s eternal reward.
Shalom