Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
I already used scripture. In the first place, there is no commandment that ministers should be poor or middle-class.
Secondly, 1 Tim 5:18 says a worker is worthy of his wage. I asked you what helping millions and millions of people was worth. You never answered.
Tell me, what does 1 Tim 5:18 mean?
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1 Tim 5:18 is fanciful justification for the extravagances of JM. I have said repeatedly that she is not just selling books, she also solicits offerings with the implied promise that her many hearers will receive the same "blessings" she has. But, let's look at what that verse says.
Apostle Paul says in I Tim 5.18, "
For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the threshing ox, and, The workman is worthy of his wages." To understand what Paul is saying, we must go back to find out "
what the scripture says," and the context of what Paul was quoting.
The first similar mention is Lev 19.13 which speaks of keeping the wages of a hired servant overnight in the context of "thou shall not steal." Commentators here are mixed in opinion because this quote in I Timothy has no direct O.T. source, so it must reference our Lord's words in Matt 10.10 and Luke 10.7 as the scripture.
Matt 10.10 says, "
Nor a bag for the way, nor even two tunics, nor even two sandals, nor even a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food." Here the Lord speaks of having only the most basic of essentials, a level of austerity few would espouse today. The Lord only promises sufficient food for his servants. That is what they are "worth" here on earth serving Him. This verse actually does more to expose JM's extravagances than perhaps any other verse in the Bible. I can find absolutely no support in this scripture as justification that JM is "worth" more than the Lord's other servants, just because she has supposedly helped more.
Luke 10.7 says, "
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things from them; for the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house." Here our Lord expands on His message in Matthew to include hospitality,
both room and board, as worthy payment for His faithful servants. I doubt that the Lord had in mind the $2,000 per night luxury accommodations that JM normally enjoys.
Igzy, when commenting on posts from many LSM supporters, you have often used the phrase "defending the indefensible." I believe this surely applies to the extravagant lifestyle of JM and her staff. I really think you should have chosen another verse. This one has kind of backfired on your cause.