Proclaim The Gospel Free of Charge

Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel, for if I do this willing I have a reward, but if not, I am entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? so that preaching I present the gospel free of charge to the extent not making use of my authority in the gospel (1 Corinthians :17-18)

In early times stewardship functioned as a job description, denoting the office of a steward, or manager. Such a position came with earthly rewards like a wage. Even the stewardship of the house of God in the old testament came with privileges and earthly wages or provisions. Paul uses this word opposite of that of the old, not making use of its authority like as the old stewardship but as a dispensation in the new which comes with a heavenly reward and new responsibilities. Himself being made a steward to proclaim the mystery of the gospel free of charge.

not that we have authority but rather to make ourselves an example to you to imitate. For even when we were with you we gave you this charge, if anyone is not willing to work he should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:9-11).

There is no charge or authority from Jesus that overruled this example by Paul. In the old testament things were different but we are in the new, one that took his death to establish. In this we have Paul saying they had established this tradition, of not living off of the people, and to stay away from anyone who conducts himself disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:6). He defines this disorderly manner as "if anyone is not willing to work he should not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:6). And he includes himself in it. It is an amazing statement and tradition and example Paul had established for doing ministry. 

So people we charge and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ so that you work quietly, eat in your own food. Now, brothers do not be discouraged in this, do what is good (2 Thessalonians 3:12)

It is good to work. This is not some charge coming from man but "in the Lord Jesus Christ." We never see Jesus in the scriptures passing around an offering plate, taking up money, living off the people. Of course he was God, he got gold from a fish to pay taxes, surely such an important topic would have been taught. Paul he set forth this example for ministry for a reason, however the tradition has not been imitated in many churches. Tradition has turned stewardship into an entitlement to live off of other people and it is damaging to the gospel as we will read. 

for you know our example, so imitate it, because we did not live irregular lives among you, nor eat any's food without paying, rather we worked night and day in toil and hardship so not to be a burden to you (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)

If you work hard with your hands to make a living for yourself and your family and someone wants to live disorderly among you, not working but eating what you worked hard for, is this not irregular conduct? It is being lazy. Paul, says take note of such a person and do not associate with him, do not regard him as an enemy but as a brother so he is shown the error of his way.

Now, since Paul gave this charge "in the Lord Jesus Christ" he is doing this to set an example for ministry. If it were just for people to see then when he was away he would not follow this tradition it would be hypocrisy. Tradition today has made ministers stewards entitled to money. But it goes further because no longer is this a career path for serving, (like other serving professions; teaching, firemen, policemen, nursing...) ministers now receive great wealth which could go to helping the poor (those unable to work due to disability illness or lack of employment opportunities.).

... rather than God's stewardship that in faith. Now the goal of this charge is love from a clean heart and a clear conscious and a sincere faith, (1 Timothy 1)

Paul's charge really goes back to the fall (Genesis 3:17–19). Man was charged to toil for his food. Are ministers free from this charge? Tradition today justifies ministry as a stewardship; they are working preparing sermons and "serving" those in need, taking care of the sheep, so they are deserving of a earthly wage. Paul said many were "falling short who wander away into vain words, wishing to be teachers not understanding either what they say nor what strongly asserting." (1 Timothy 1:3-7). "Teaching that contrary to healthy teaching in conforming to the glory of the blessed God" (1 Timothy 1:8-11). They have shipwrecked the faith (1 Timothy 1:18-20).

now, the Spirit clearly says because in the last times some of faith apostate to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons... (1 Timothy 4:1)

There is a praying for authority and there is a not associating with those who teach unhealthy doctrines and follow traditions of men, not keeping to the head who is Christ (1 Timothy 2:1-4). The church is of the living God, to be a pillar and buttress of truth, manifesting the mystery of godliness who is Christ (1 Timothy 2:15-16). "Trained in the words of faith and good teaching which you have followed, but reject the profane and silly myths but train yourselves in godliness for bodily exercise is of little value, now godliness is of great value for all it holds a promise to the present life and the coming one" (1 Timothy 4:6-9)

for in this respect we are toiling and struggling, because our hope in the living God, who exists the savior of all people, chiefly those who believe, command and teach these things... (1 Timothy 4:10-13)

Until I come and see for myself, be an example, in faith, in conduct, in love, in purity, devoted to reading of the scriptures, to exhortation, to teaching, do not neglect the gift given to you... (1 Timothy 4:13-14). Oh, this is the gift Paul desired to receive, the church established in faith, looking like Christ. Paul had heard of their faith and expected earnestly to send someone ahead of time so when he arrived it would not be in vain. Not only seen here but in the church in Corinth, 2 Corinthians 8.

Continue to practice these things, existing in them, so that your progress exists visible to all, watch yourself and the teachings, endure in them for so doing you save both yourselves and those hearing you (1 Timothy 4:15-16).

Paul wrote he had become all things to all people so that some might be saved. The burden of working with his hands and not living off the people is one of these. "Let the elders serving well, esteemed double honor, chiefly the ones spent with labor in words and teaching for the scripture says "do not muzzle an ox treading the grain"" and "worthy the worker of his wage" (1 Timothy 4:17-18). If taken in context Paul sets an example to work with his own hands, to receive his own wage to pay for his own food. So the wage is not money and it is specifically mentioned the reward is "esteemed double honor." There will be those to not give honor to, who see religion as a means of profit in earthly riches (1 Timothy 6)

[God] who gives to each according to what he has done, the ones seeking accordingly, endurance into good works, works seeking glory and honor and immortality he gives eternal life... (Romans 2:6-8)

Ministry (which means serving) does not seek earthly glory and wealth. This is just sound teaching in the new covenant, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth..." (Matthew 6:19-21). "The things we do in this life are only permanent if they are built on the foundation, which is Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11–15). "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me" (Revelation 22:12). You can't love the world and it's things and God at the same time (1 John 2;15-17; Matthew 6:24). 

and looking up at his disciples he said "blessed are you the poor, because yours exists then kingdom of God" (Luke 6:20)

It is not a just spiritual poor here, many of the apostles were chosen from humble professions. There is a reason the poor are rich in faith. Jesus tells a man to sell everything and give it to the poor, and they will have treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21). "For we brought nothing into this world and neither have power to take anything, now having food and clothing be content, but those wishing to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful passions that plunge the people into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Money corrupts and when ministers are corrupted, the church is.

for the root of all evil is the love of money, which some crave and go astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. But you oh man of God flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith to which you were called (1 Timothy 6:11-20).

Fighting the good fight of faith is avoiding earthy riches. Oh but you say it is the love of money that is the root of evil. Many have went astray thinking they can be wealthy and at the same time not love money. Paul writes, "urge the rich in the present age not to be haughty nor set their hope on the uncertainties of riches but on God who grants us all things richly for our enjoyment, to do good work, rich in good deeds, existing generous, sharing, laying up themselves a good foundation in the coming age so that they seize hold what is truly life' (1 Timothy 6:11-20). Truly, what is life doesn't include earthly riches to enjoy in this life. Earthly riches are not for our enjoyment, our treasure is in heaven 

if we sowed spiritual things to you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If other share in this authority to you, not ourselves even more? Rather, we do not make use of this authority but endure all lest we make use of this and place an obstacle in the way of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:18)

We come back to this idea Paul mentions he could have used this authority. Now, we have already seen, this did not come from the Lord Jesus, but from the Mosaic Law, the priests were entitled to take from that offered to God and where the scripture says "do not muzzle an ox treading the grain"" and "worthy the worker of his wage." So Paul says we could have made use of the old testament laws, like others have, but of course that would contradict many things Paul writes about not being under the Law and going back to these things. And he explains the main reason, the gospel is to be presented free of charge.

lest we make use of this [reap material things from you] and place an obstacle in the way of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:18)

Oh, Father, let this touch our hearts. Today, one of the top reasons people will not attend church is they say the church is too focused on money. So money has become exactly what Paul said it would be a stumbling block to the gospel. Should this not concern us, should we not examine and pray diligently that we are handling the word of God correctly?  

While individual churches might be growing in general the church in the US is declining.* If we look at the statistics of the church in regards to where the money goes, it is astonishing.* This whole religious institution that has been traditionally established, unlike the example set by Paul, is consuming so much money, very little actually goes to spreading the gospel, like 10 percent, or helping the poor... most goes to paying the salary of ministers and earthly things. God still uses it but the sad thing is that money has been placed as an obstacle in the way of the gospel. We need a reformation if we expect growth. The way I see this happening is as Paul set by example.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost (Isaiah 55:1)

It is a principle theme of the gospel, come as you are, without money, buy as to find it valuable, receive it as free of charge, anyone may come. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37-38). “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely." (Revelation 22:17). To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life (Revelation 21:6). "For thus saith the LORD, you have sold yourselves for nothing; and you shall be redeemed without money" (Isaiah 52:3). When the gospel is presented without charge, coming as you are, it is shocking to people, and appealing as Jesus said the kingdom of God is like finding treasure.

Paul was a tentmaker by trade, and he relied on that trade to support his ministry. Paul met fellow tentmakers Priscilla and Aquila, and “because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks” (Acts 18:3–4). So he worked during the week and preached on Sundays and probably even other days. The new testament scriptures states we are to do good works, giving to the poor, and helping our brothers in need. Jesus said when giving do so in private then our reward will be from God not man. Let us give so to please God solely. Paul helped raise money for the persecuted church in Jerusalem and there were exceptions, he received material things in prison.*

The scriptures tell us Paul provided for the needs of his ministry and those with him (Acts 20:33–34). Presumably through tent making, but no doubt working, toiling with his hands, day and night even, taking on this extra burden so money would not be a stumbling block to the gospel. His primary goal was to present the gospel and he did it in a way that it was seen to be free, without charge.