Over the last three articles, this series made a case that runs against nearly universal church practice. Part 2 named the problem directly: when a congregation controls a pastor’s paycheck, it puts him in a compromised position, since he may need to teach truths some don’t want to hear. Money brings its own temptations and pressures, regardless of anyone’s intentions. That’s a common situation, not an accusation against any particular congregation or minister.

This is not a suggestion that gospel workers go unsupported. Part 3 and part 4 showed Scripture affirms the opposite, plainly and repeatedly. Jesus said the worker is worthy of his provisions (Mt 10:10). Paul built a sustained argument toward the same point in 1 Corinthians 9, concluding that “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Cor 9:14). Nowhere in this series is the right to material support in question.