I think the OP's question is valid, especially supported in Paul's teaching. The arguments against the OP are exactly the same teaching I used to hear coming from behind pulpits so long ago.
Pastors that justify their worth expecting and often demanding that the congregation is required to pay them a regular wage as you would in a secular job, (a hireling or a hired hand).
Their trump card so often used is "the elder is worthy of double honor". Yes "honor" somehow magically changes to mean money or a weekly paycheck.
Do note that just a few verses earlier Paul is addressing people with widowed family members not to burden the congregation and take care of their own family members. Key word here is burden.
Also, notice this: The Apostle Paul does not equate "working" with preaching the gospel.
The two activities are clearly and distinctly separate in Paul’s mind.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 "Surely you remember brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you."
Here in 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15, the Apostle Paul says the same thing, except with even more emphasis.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in
accord with the tradition that you received from us.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle
when we were with you, we did not eat any one's bread without paying,
but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not BURDEN
any of you.
It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our CONDUCT
an EXAMPLE TO IMITATE.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one
will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in
idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ
to do their WORK in quietness and to earn their OWN living.
Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.
If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man,
and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not look
on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (RSV)
Again, the key word here is "burden".
The Apostle Paul has clearly labeled the “paid pastors” or the “teaching elders”, the paid professional clergy, not a benefit, but rather a burden; not a help, but rather a hindrance.
Pastors that justify their worth expecting and often demanding that the congregation is required to pay them a regular wage as you would in a secular job, (a hireling or a hired hand).
Their trump card so often used is "the elder is worthy of double honor". Yes "honor" somehow magically changes to mean money or a weekly paycheck.
Do note that just a few verses earlier Paul is addressing people with widowed family members not to burden the congregation and take care of their own family members. Key word here is burden.
Also, notice this: The Apostle Paul does not equate "working" with preaching the gospel.
The two activities are clearly and distinctly separate in Paul’s mind.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 "Surely you remember brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you."
Here in 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15, the Apostle Paul says the same thing, except with even more emphasis.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in
accord with the tradition that you received from us.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle
when we were with you, we did not eat any one's bread without paying,
but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not BURDEN
any of you.
It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our CONDUCT
an EXAMPLE TO IMITATE.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one
will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in
idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ
to do their WORK in quietness and to earn their OWN living.
Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.
If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man,
and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not look
on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (RSV)
Again, the key word here is "burden".
The Apostle Paul has clearly labeled the “paid pastors” or the “teaching elders”, the paid professional clergy, not a benefit, but rather a burden; not a help, but rather a hindrance.