What is the biblical basis for Christians NOT to quit their jobs, sell all their possessions, and preach the gospel? While an argument can be made that all Christians should quit their "secular" jobs, sell all their possessions, and preach the gospel fulltime, I am thinking that its basis may not biblical. What then could be a biblical basis for not quitting one's job?
You seem to be alluding to the account of the rich young man in the Gospels:

Matthew 19:16-22

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.




Mark 10:17-22

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.



First, in these Scriptures we note that Jesus is speaking specifically to one particular individual whose attachment to his wealth was an impediment to his faith.  As the Church Fathers pointed out, although it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23), it is not impossible.  Joseph of Arimathaea is an example of a rich man who was Jesus' disciple (Matthew 27:57).

Second, in the accounts of the rich young man, Christ does not urge the young man to &quot;preach the Gospel&quot;.  He is asked, rather, that he take up his cross (Mark 10:21) and follow Jesus (Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21) - not to preach.
Throughout the New Testament, the importance of truth is emphasized.  Christ is the Truth (John 14:6).  Jesus taught that one must worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).  The Church itself is described as the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).  Like Paul immediately after his conversion (see below), many may feel &quot;inspired&quot; to begin preaching the Gospel, without really being prepared to do so.  The result is spiritual delusion, leading to heresies and schisms (1 Corinthians 11:19).  The fact that there are so many Christian &quot;denominations&quot; (a term more suited to currency than the Church) with conflicting beliefs attests to the fact that many, many persons throughout history must have preached another Gospel (1 Galatians 1:18):  When conflicting doctrine is taught by multiple sects, either all or all but one of the sects must have been teaching falsehoods.

Third, many understand that to follow Jesus means to preach the Gospel.  This belief has no basis in Scripture.  To follow Jesus means to obey Him (John 14:23), not to preach, unless specifically directed to do so.  The famous &quot;Great Commission&quot; was given specifically to the eleven remaining Apostles, who alone were assembled by Jesus (Matthew 28:16), and were commanded to baptize and to teach all nations ... to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you (Matthew 28:20).  It was not a commandment that was given to all disciples or believers in general.
A close reading of the Acts of the Apostles will show that when the disciples went forth to preach, they were sent either directly by the Apostles or by one(s) who were appointed by the Apostles or by others who were successively appointed to preach.  One exception was Paul, who appeared to begin preaching shortly after his conversion without being so appointed (Acts 9:20), but very quickly had to be rescued (Acts 9:25).  The next time we see Paul beginning a ministry, it will be under the direct supervision of an Apostle (Barnabas; see Acts 11:25).