Finances in the Pauline churches : a social-exegetical study of the funding of Paul's mission and the financial administration of his congregations.

Paul, like other apostles who adopted the so-called 'charismatic poverty, ' could have
relied on his churches for the funding of his mission. He rejected such support and
opted to work on a trade, a choice which ultimately rested on his conception of the
gospel and the influence it had on his life. He gives three reasons for his actions: love
for his converts, not to hinder the gospel, and his independence/freedom. This shows
also an awareness of his social milieu. This thesis utilises 'models from the
environment' to demonstrate that Paul extensively adopted, reshaped or modified the
social conventions of his day, as need be. He conceived the gospel as received and
interpreted within his social context, appreciating the good aspects of that social
context. He accepted hospitality and benefaction only when it did not 'hinder the
gospel' as he put it.
Similarly, Paul expected the churches of his mission to run their local finances on
these same principles, with the social conventions of hospitality, and benefaction
featuring prominently. Such hospitality and benefaction were however understood in
the light of the gospel message described as the 'law of Christ' (&vogoc XPLUTOO).
His admonitions on work indicate that he expected his converts to follow his practice.
Although he anticipated that out of love his converts would help one another,
especially the poor, he did not by that expect that the poor would be lazy. For translocal
finances, he expected that his reshaped, and modified form of patronage and
benefaction would be adopted, taken in conjunction with the theological conception of
giving as the grace of God bestowed for generosity.