“For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:18
If someone is “worthy” of something, it means that they merit or deserve something. If someone works from 9 to 5, five days a week, they deserve to be paid for their time and effort that they gave working. They deserve a paycheck to recompense them for their work.
It’s like when I start planting a garden in the spring. I spend time digging up the soil, breaking up all the clumps and raking it out smooth to prepare it for planting. I sow the seeds, keep the ground moist, keep the weeds away (or try to), until the plant reaches maturity and is ready to be picked. With all of the effort that I put into the garden, my reward is the matured fruit. It is the “payment” for my labor.
Now what if after I had done all that work, waiting all summer until the plants matured and it was time to pick them but someone came up to me and said, “You can’t have that.” That would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it? I put in all of the time and work into the garden, and I deserve to receive the fruit of my labor.
That is what sometimes happens to those who preach the gospel. Some people have a notion that pastors and preachers shouldn’t have anything, that they should be dirt poor and need to live on ramen noodles. They put in hours working, just like everyone else, and just like everyone else they are worthy to receive a reward for their works.
This is what Paul was trying to teach the church in 1 Corinthians. It sounds like there were some there in the church that were examining Paul, and saying that he shouldn’t receive things for preaching to the church. So he wrote to them:
“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:7-14
Some people won’t think twice about paying the plumber to come over and fix a broken pipe, or a leaky faucet. It make take them an hour and they will charge $100, and a person won’t bat an eye and will pay it. The plumber worked for his wages, and whatever he decides to buy with it is his decision. But if a pastor preaches for an hour or two, and decides to go out to eat at a restaurant with his wife, some people will get upset at that. And that is what sounds like was happening to Paul.
And Paul wasn’t a covetous, greedy person. He didn’t stand up in the front of the church and demand that the people give him money, food, or possessions. Paul preached the gospel freely, but he taught them that if he did receive something for his work, that he was worthy of it.
Those who labor in the gospel should be able to live of the gospel. Whether they receive food, money, clothing, possessions, they are worthy to receive the fruits for their labor.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 