day no. 15,690: charity requires someone to work

"If the comer is a traveler, assist him, so far as ye are able; but he shall not stay with you more than two or three days, if it be necessary. But if he wishes to settle with you, being a craftsman, let him work for and eat his bread. But if he has no craft, according to your wisdom provide how he shall live as a Christian among you, but not in idleness. If he will not do this, he is trafficking upon Christ. Beware of such men. But every time prophet desiring to settle among you is worthy of his food. In like manner a true teacher is also worthy, like the workman, of his food. Every firstfruit then of the produce of the wine-vat and of the threshing-floor, of thy oxen and of thy sheep, thou shalt take and give as the firstfruit to the prophets; for they are your chief-priests" -- The Didache, J.B. Lightfoot translation

A traveling minister shall be given room and board, but not indefinitely. Within 2-3 days, he needs to either become part of the community or move on. He must either get to work and earn the bread that was previously provided to him as a guest or get to stepping to where he wants to end up. But if he becomes part of the community, he must begin to contribute to it. He belongs to the family so he helps with the dishes. He is no longer a stranger in need of hospitality, but a member in need of contributing something back.

Charity requires someone to work. In order to have something to give, someone must have extra. A Christian is one who receives God's work on their behalf as their only hope of salvation and right standing before God. This faith is then demonstrated by doing for others what God has done for them. Along with a new heart and the help of His Spirit, the Christian discovers an impulse from God to provide for others. The Christian becomes like Christ in working for the benefit of others.

No Christian would seek to make his living off of merely being a Christian. Christians in vocational ministry understand their calling as work. They are paid to disciple, study the Scriptures, preach, counsel, etc... but they don't expect a paycheck for simply being a part of the body. Being a Christian isn't a job, it is a delight. We obey God because we want to and His commandments are not burdensome. Expecting someone to pay you for being a Christian is what the Didache calls trafficking upon Christ. Beware of those who would do this and the temptation to become like this.