Gospel Work and Physical Labor

Jinu Ninan

Introduction

When the message of the Cross, which is the Word of God, is proclaimed without concealment, naturally it will provoke two kinds of responses. How people respond depends on their attitude toward the Word.

If we are willing to respond sincerely to God’s Word, the message of the Cross will expose our sins, misconceptions, and traditional mindsets, and transform and work in us according to God’s Word.

However, if we are unwilling to abandon our sins, traditions, or misconceptions, we tend to reject God’s Word, resist the messenger, and the Word we hear may harden our hearts instead of healing them.

Consider the example of Peter and Stephen: they preached the same message, yet some people rejoiced, while others turned against the preacher and even stoned them.

This article may produce a similar response in readers. Therefore:

If you are unwilling to examine your sacred notions and traditional beliefs, I strongly advise not to read further.
If you are willing to examine your beliefs in light of Scripture and correct misconceptions, read carefully—the truths here may challenge you, but ultimately lead you to true freedom.

I have revised a previous article with this one, and due to the subject, it received the most criticism. As Voltaire said:
"When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion."

To make the teaching clearer, I have added explanations and tried to answer questions that arose from this topic.

There are sincere Gospel workers in all churches who serve God wholeheartedly, and many do so sacrificially. This article is not meant to judge them. Its purpose is to examine misunderstandings related to Gospel work and physical labor in light of Scripture and correct them.

God’s Plan for Physical Labor

When God created man, He assigned physical work: to work in the garden (Genesis 2:15). After the fall, God ordained that man would earn his living by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19).

Thus, before and after the fall, it was God’s intention that man would work physically for sustenance.

In the New Testament, the general principle for all believers is that everyone should work with their own hands—including church ministers, elders, and pastors (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 2 Thessalonians 3:8–12).

The apostles emphasized the necessity and dignity of working with one’s own hands. A few examples:

1 Thessalonians 4:4: We instruct you to live quietly, work with your hands, and fulfill your obligations.
Ephesians 4:28: Let the thief no longer steal, but labor with your hands so you can help those in need.
2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone is unwilling to work, let him not eat.”
1 Thessalonians 4:12: Work with your own hands to earn your living, so you may live properly and be independent.

Q&A

Question 1: Does this apply to all believers? Does it apply to pastors as well? According to 1 Corinthians 9:14, shouldn’t pastors live by the offerings of the church?

Answer:

The instructions to work with one’s hands apply to all believers, including church elders. Many misunderstand 1 Corinthians 9:14, thinking pastors have the right to live without work from church offerings. In reality, this verse refers only to apostles, not local pastors.

Apostles were sent by God, traveled across regions, preached the Gospel, and established churches. Working in a single place was impractical, so churches supported their basic needs during their journeys.
The same principle applies today to missionaries and traveling evangelists sent by the church—they are entitled to receive support for basic necessities, not luxury.

Local pastors or elders who serve in one church continuously do not fall under this provision—they are to work with their own hands.

Question 2: If only apostles are entitled to live by the Gospel, how should local pastors and elders live?

Answer:

Pastors and elders should follow the example of the apostles—to work with their own hands.

Paul, even though he had the right to live off the Gospel because of his missionary travels, worked manually to set an example for the elders (Acts 20:17–35).
1 Thessalonians 2:9: Paul reminds believers that he and his companions worked day and night so they would not be a burden.
2 Thessalonians 3:8–9: They did not eat anyone’s bread without working, setting an example to follow.

Thus, working physically while fulfilling ministry duties is both Scriptural and practical. Unfortunately, many modern pastors misuse Scripture to support a luxurious lifestyle funded by believers.

Question 3: Didn’t the Levitical priests live off tithes and offerings? Doesn’t that give pastors the same right?

Answer:

Many use the example of the Levitical priests to justify living off offerings without work. But:

Levitical priesthood and tithes were abolished at Christ’s crucifixion.
New Testament elders are not successors of the Levitical priesthood.
Today’s church is the spiritual temple, and believers are spiritual priests (Hebrews 4:16; 8:11; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:5).
Elders do not have a special priesthood with the right to receive tithes; they serve alongside other believers (Hebrews 7:5, 12).

Question 4: Can a pastor, responsible for both spiritual and physical affairs of a local church, engage in physical work?

Answer:

Yes. In the early church:

Each local congregation had at least two elders, sharing responsibilities.
Several capable ministers were involved in service; no single person carried all spiritual or physical responsibilities.
Ministry and labor were shared and collaborative (1 Peter 4:10–11).

Modern pastors often carry all spiritual duties alone, along with performing functions not prescribed in Scripture (building dedication, vehicle blessing, weddings, funerals, etc.). In contrast, the early church shared responsibilities, with elders overseeing collectively.

Therefore, it is Scriptural, practical, and aligned with apostolic example for elders and pastors to perform both ministry and physical labor.
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Question 5 – Does it say that pastors in the local church should not receive any financial support from believers?

Answer: No. The Word of God does not teach that elders or ministers serving only in the local church should not receive any financial support from believers. On the contrary, the Word of God teaches that it is acceptable for them to receive support. However, this does not mean that they are to live entirely off this support or use it as a reason not to work.

If the elders in a local church are more diligent in preaching and teaching (both in the ministry within the church and in outward evangelism), the Word of God teaches that they should be respected and cared for lovingly, and that material blessings should be shared with them. Those who study the Word should share the benefits of their learning with those who teach them (1 Timothy 5:17; Galatians 6:6).

However, this does not provide a license to live permanently at the church’s expense without working. As we have seen, even the apostles, who had the authority to live off believers’ support, chose to work with their own hands and set an example for the elders of the church.

Moreover, the Word of God clearly prohibits receiving temporary financial support from unbelievers or from those who are not spiritually blessed through their ministry (3 John 1:7; 1 Corinthians 9:11).

In all matters, there is a general rule and exceptions in special circumstances. In extraordinary situations within a church, there may be elders who serve without physical work and live entirely on the church’s financial support, but this cannot be taken as a general principle. In the early church, this was not the case.

Thus, today, it is neither a common practice nor a general principle for elders or pastors to live solely off church income without working. In short, under the new law, there is no license for elders or pastors to live entirely off the church income without working. They are allowed to receive necessary support only from believers who are spiritually blessed by their ministry. They are not permitted to live entirely off believers’ contributions, avoid work, or receive financial support from unbelievers or from those not spiritually blessed by their ministry.

Question 6 – If God calls someone to ‘full-time’ evangelistic work, can they do physical work?

Answer: The Word of God does not distinguish between full-time and part-time work. There is only divine ministry. The notion that some people should avoid physical work because “God has called them to full-time evangelistic work” is merely a human justification.

Furthermore, those who claim to do full-time ministry are not literally engaged in evangelistic work 24 hours a day. That is impossible for humans.

Ordinarily, people with physical jobs work eight hours a day for six days. Yet, many who claim to be in full-time ministry do not even spend two hours a day on evangelistic work, which is a reality.

In short, living off others without work, depending on unbelievers, and thereby bringing reproach to God’s name is something the apostles warned against.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 says: “…let each of you work with your hands, so that you may live quietly and earn your own living.” By living in this way, even unbelievers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on anyone else for your needs.

Because they worked with their own hands, the early church workers never had to depend on others financially. They were servants of God who pleased Him alone.

Today, because many do not follow Paul’s apostolic advice, some end up depending on others. They do not even gain respect from unbelievers. Often, their ministry becomes just a means of earning money, causing God’s name to be dishonored in the eyes of unbelievers.

Many who claim to be in full-time ministry are actually people who discovered that evangelistic work could be a good way to earn money and adopted it as their profession, not because God called them. Some leave work under the influence of certain speakers or after completing studies and pursue evangelistic work, only to later realize it was a mistake when they cannot find a job and continue living off ministry income.

Therefore, those who leave their work for evangelistic ministry must be certain that God has genuinely called them. God’s call is never a call to live without work. Otherwise, like many “full-time” ministers today, you may inadvertently bring dishonor to God’s name.

In reality, in India and Kerala, one major reason for the dishonor of God’s name among the people has been ministers who exploit believers, neglect work, and treat evangelism as a business. This is contrary to God’s original intention that people should earn their living through honest labor. Hence, today there is a great need for ministers who, like Paul, work with their own hands while proclaiming the gospel.

Question 7 – Are there evangelists who are so busy with ministry that they cannot do physical work?

Answer: Certainly, there may be evangelists who cannot maintain a regular job in one place. But there can never be evangelists who are completely incapable of any work. Even when apostle Paul traveled across continents establishing churches, he worked with his own hands as much as possible.

Anyone claiming to be fully busy in evangelistic work without doing any work would have to be busier than Paul—but most fail to do even the work they are capable of, either due to unwillingness or wrong thinking.

However, unlike the false apostles, Paul proudly stated that he worked with his own hands and preached the gospel free of charge (2 Corinthians 11:7–15). Therefore, today the genuine servants of God are those who can proudly say, “I work with my own hands while proclaiming the gospel,” even in India and Kerala. This is also the way to identify a true servant of God.

Question 8 – Does this article condemn all pastors who live off evangelism? Does it mean that those living off believers’ money are not true servants of God?

Answer: As mentioned in the introduction, many are sincerely called to minister solely for God and faithfully serve in evangelistic work. They are genuine servants of God. However, many believe it is wrong to do physical work while in ministry. The purpose of this article is to examine and correct such misconceptions using Scripture. Sincerity does not justify doing wrong.

The misconception that ministry or divine service means living without work solely on believers’ money has led to the emergence of several types of people in ministry and churches:

First group: Those who are clever in making money without labor. They claim to be “anointed” of God but are actually frauds and often unregenerate. They exploit poor believers, amassing wealth and luxury. 2 Peter 2:2–14 warns about such people: they will exploit others, mislead many, and cause harm to God’s name.
Second group: Those who lack the ability or cleverness to defraud but begin ministry without work and gradually depend on others for support, asking believers for money. They are not as deceptive as the first group but still bring harm to God’s name while claiming to be servants.
Third group: Genuine believers who trust only God and engage in ministry without physical work. They never request support from others and rely solely on God. They do not bring harm to God’s name, though some may mistakenly view not working as a deficiency.
Fourth group: Those who have the right to avoid work but choose to labor with their own hands while also engaging in evangelistic work. They take pride in this and serve as a model for others. Paul continually urged believers and ministers to imitate such examples.

In reality, in today’s Christian world, the first group—deceivers—is the most prevalent and brings the most dishonor to God’s name before unbelievers. Therefore, models like Paul, who work with their own hands while proclaiming the gospel, are greatly needed today.

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Question 9: God calls some people to “live by faith,” doesn’t He? Can such people engage in physical work?

Answer: The statement “live by faith” has been widely misunderstood and misrepresented. Most people think it applies only to pastors, implying that a pastor can live without working and sustain themselves entirely by the offerings of believers.

This understanding is completely wrong. The phrase “live by faith” refers to all who are justified by faith—that is, all believers. It means living in dependence on God, not on the resources of people.

Hebrews 10:38 says, “But my righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” This indicates that the message is for those who continue to trust and live by faith, not for those who turn back into destruction.

Therefore, the principle of living by faith is not limited to pastors, nor does it exempt anyone from physical work. If living by faith meant living without work, then how could pastors sustain themselves solely on the contributions of believers?

Those who live without engaging in physical work, depending entirely on the offerings of others, are not truly living by faith in God—they are living by faith in the money of others.

Question 10: Shouldn’t God’s servants serve God? Isn’t working physically to serve humans equivalent to serving God?

Answer: When the elders of the church are instructed to work with their hands, it does not mean they must work under someone else. They can engage in farming, trade, or manual labor—whatever work they are willing to do.

Like “live by faith,” the phrase “God’s servants” is also widely misrepresented. Many interpret it to mean only pastors are God’s servants and that serving under humans is inappropriate. But Scripture clarifies otherwise:

Romans 6:17–18: “But thanks be to God that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

Romans 6:22: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to sanctification, and the outcome is eternal life.”

These verses show that all who have been freed from sin and live in God are God’s servants. By working physically, they are serving God.

Ephesians 6:6: “Not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, serving wholeheartedly, not men.”

Thus, for God’s servants, engaging in physical work is not rebellion—it is obedience to God’s Word.

Question 11: We agree with these principles, but are they practically possible today?

Answer: I agree that, as stated in the article, these instructions—and many others in the New Testament—are not practically applied in today’s church organizations. Most churches exist under centralized, structured systems that make it impossible to apply God’s Word fully.

In such centralized systems, pastors are salaried employees, often relocated every few years, and it is inconceivable that they would live without a salary. Unlike the early church, where responsibilities were shared, today a single pastor often carries both spiritual and physical responsibilities of the church, making it practically impossible for them to engage in physical labor.

Therefore, under today’s centralized church systems, none of these principles are practically possible. Many sincere, God-serving ministers are compelled to exist within these structures. These ministers are righteous servants of God, even though they operate within flawed systems. The New Testament instructions are fully practical only within New Testament-model churches.

If one tries to apply New Testament principles within old organizational systems, the Lord’s warning in Matthew 9:16–17 applies:

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from it, and a worse tear results. Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed.”

Trying to pour the message of the New Covenant into old, flawed systems will fail. The “old wineskins” are like existing organizational structures that exploit believers, and “new wine” is the message of the New Covenant. If new teachings are forced into old systems, leaders and ministers who are comfortable with the old system will resist, even persecuting those who preach God’s truth (Matthew 7:6).

Question 12: What is the solution?

Answer: The only solution is for the church to return to its original, early church model—a complete restoration of God’s truth, not merely a reformation.

When God’s church is restored to the pattern of the early church, the new wine—the teachings and guidance of the New Covenant—can be poured into the new wineskin. This is why the church is called the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:16).

The old Jewish system could not embrace the Lord or the true message of the Cross. They rejected both the messenger and the message. Similarly, if we preach God’s Word uncompromisingly today, those aligned with old organizational structures will attack both the Lord and His disciples.

Therefore, by God’s grace, believers are called to remain steadfast and separate themselves from these flawed structures, enduring persecution to live in alignment with God’s truth (Hebrews 13:9,13).

Those who cling to the security of old systems, who avoid reproach and wish to exploit believers, remain satisfied with the old wine and the old wineskins.

The greatest need of this generation is new wineskins that can carry the true message of the New Covenant. Only in these restored, New Covenant-model churches can God’s Word be fully taught and obeyed.

Let those who have ears, hear!

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