Jesus sent out the twelve disciples without any feasible income or even a change of clothing (Mathew 10:9-10). Why would he send them out completely destitute? Jesus explains the reason in verse 10, “…for a worker is worthy of his food.” In other words, those who were followers of Jesus were meant to support those who taught them.
Paul explains that a soldier does not have to support himself when he goes to war. No one plants fruit trees and does not expect to eat the fruit. A man doesn’t raise dairy cattle and not expect to have plenty of milk to drink. Even the ox in the threshing floor was allowed to eat the grain while it treads the stalks. So a minister of God’s word should be supported by the church (1 Corinthians 9:8).
God set up the system so that the support of ministers is not a burden to anyone person or small group. Every believer is to contribute a 10th of their income (Hebrews 7:1-10). Jesus rebuked the Pharisees about tithe saying, “You tithe mint, dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.” In other words, you should tithe but also be just, merciful and faithful.
