1 CORINTHIANS 9
8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
– 1 Corinthians 9:8-14
1 CORINTHIANS 9 ON COMPENSATING SPIRITUAL WORK
In this letter, Paul asserts the right of every worker of God to be compensated for the work they do to spread the gospel and lead people to their salvation. Verse 9 alludes to Deuteronomy 25:4 where God commanded that they shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. This command is about humane treatment of a working animal. According to David Guzik’s commentary, in those days, grain was broken away from its husk by an ox walking on it repeatedly, usually in a circle. It was cruel to force the ox to walk over all that grain, yet to muzzle him so that he couldn’t eat of it.
When Jesus sent out his disciples as mentioned in Luke 10 Jesus instructs “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. Paul reiterates this instruction of Jesus in this letter. Although Jesus mentioned that spiritual works also deserve compensation, it was honorable for the worker not to expect any wage but that his reward is when the gospel was received.
REFLECTION
- Why is it important not to think of compensation so much when we do kingdom work? Why would some people think spiritual work need not be remunerated?
