It is the Church's responsibility to support the pastor, not the sinners to whom he is to give the gospel freely, even as he received it freely.
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
I agree Pearson. It seems that today's theologians and christians are inventing justifications as they go along. Off the top of my head they've invented Justification for divorce, eccumenism, birth control, attending marriages of believers to unbelievers, preterism, women ministers, not keeping the sabbath, pictures of God, heresy, signs and wonders, the list is endless. I think that the best we can do as faithful christians is as you have done. Point out the scriptures for the sake of those who are simple and might be deceived by these christians, so called.
I think Paul would turn over in his grave to hear jd@'s interpretation of that verse to mean we can sell the gospel. And I thank God that when I first read a tract explaining the gospel that no one asked me to pay for it. Else I would have never heard it.
Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
We ask for no reward for our labors because our reward is in heaven. I don't see much difference between selling the gospel and the Roman catholic doctrine of selling indulgences and prayers. Whether we ask money for the gospel or ask money for a prayer, it's the same thing.