A man cannot serve both money and God. A hireling is one who ministers for pay, a set salary. Not in bible.
The itenerent preacher could accept what is freely given. But it must be the givers idea, not the minister. The apostles were traveling preachers. Jesus told them not to charge, 'freely you received, freely give' was Christ's command to them.
They were to eat what was set before them. Again the givers had to offer, not the ministers pulling for bucks. God would take care of them. But you ask 'well Yet, how will they survive without pulling for buckie boo?' Have you ever heard of a little thing called 'faith'?
Wow! Faith. Trusting God, not charging, not demanding, promising or threatening. What novel concepts for the true ministers of God. They're pretty much gone now. Like the buffalo! No faith at all I guess on the part of these awesome orators. Thank God that they at least teach faith ........to you and me!?
Paul did speak to the folks that the ball was in their camp. That they need to step up to the plate and support the traveling preachers. Wasn't talking about himself but others like him. He steered away from 'taking anything' for ministry rendered. Though he did occasionally accept it being an apostle, he had the right. But he worked a day job to support himself and others with him.
Now it seems that most Christians look at the verses that speak to the support of the itenerent preachers and say 'See!! The pastor needs a salary!' Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! You're missing it again. Legal support was for the itenerent preacher, the traveling preacher, the evangelist, the apostle, and yes the missionary.
NOT some guy in the local body that's tired of his job, so he quits and tells everyone else that God called him to 'lord it over His heritage' as the Gentiles do in Matt. 20. And tells everyone that God told him to take tithes and offerings from the people so he doesn't have to work, which is contrary to Acts 20 where Paul tells the pastors to work secular jobs.
Check out the verses I put forth. See all my threads. I don't just throw out ideas, like they do on this site. I actually use the bible.
Most r having a hard time wrapping their heads around the scriptures because they never heard these scriptures taught from the exalted pulpit before. If these truths ever got out, there'd be many a man and woman that have put the title of pastor in front of their names (Jesus condemned the use of religious titles in Matt.23. See, I use scripture, novel huh?) standing in line at the unemployment office for they'd be out of a job, so called.
Most christians on this site, and I say every where, refuse to look at the word of God on this. Scared witless that their little church world would fall apart before their very eyes, so bringing their little gathering under the microscope of scrutiny with the word of God can be very uncomfortable, very heart rendering. No one likes being painted into a corner with sound doctrine. Even Paul was hated by the ecclesias in Asia for correcting them with the word. That pesky word of God. Dag nabbit all anyhow!!
But things are not the same. It's worse. We have the written word and it is totally disregarded, trashed, as it were, on these issues.
And your suspicion is correct. I have few friends. I sleep in a cave. (Where's Elijah when you need him.) smile. Be free of religion. Be blessed!