The Rock Church

Let's establish a couple of ideas:
 
1. Everyone has a ministry.  But some are called by God to full time vocational ministry.
 
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…”
- Ephesians 4:11-12
 
2. God loves those He has called to vocational ministry and He has a desire and a plan to take care of them.
 
This verse in Galatians addresses an attitude beyond just finances. When you receive ministry from someone, it's entirely appropriate – there is a spiritual principle even - to share or give something back.
 
“And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”   - Galatians 6:6-7
 
Sowing and reaping, giving and receiving – this is God's idea, not ours.
 
“Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense?  Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat the fruit of it?  Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?”   - 1 Corinthians 9:7
 
1 Corinthians 9:8-13
 
When we have a guest minister visit, an appropriate response is to give back materially.
 
The tithe was given to tribe of Levi as their inheritance. The tithe belonged entirely to the ministry.  When we have a guest minister visit, an apporopriate response is to give back materially.
 
Numbers 18:21
2 Timothy 2:4-6
 
“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”   - 1Corinthians 9:14
 
A soldier is supported – so he can fully be a soldier.  A farmer gets first share of the crops - not the leftovers, but the first. 
 
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.  For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,’ and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’”   - 1 Timothy 5:17-18
 
This really is an honor issue, and honor manifests in many ways.
 
“Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”   - Proverbs 3:9-10
 
Some people struggle with honoring anyone.
 
Romans 13:7
Matthew 10:5-10
Luke 10:1-11
 
If you will build God's house – God will build your house.  If you will honor God by honoring the ministry – you will reap a harvest!