1 Corinthians 9:8-14 says,...
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 9:8-14, which read,
v.8, 9 - I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." God is not concerned about oxen is He?
This is the chapter of questions. Paul uses this technique to help the Corinthian Christians question the next thing that had crept into the church, the love of money. Even though Paul didn't ask for resources when he was there, it did not negate that they should support those who spiritually feed them. He had every Biblical right to ask for help or receive help from them but didn't for their sakes in the beginning years of the church.
Paul brings them to this opinion not being an opinion because it comes not from human judgment but from the Bible. The ox is working the threshing floor and you want to keep him going so you don't have a practice of not feeding him. No, you feed him so that he has the energy to keep going at the task you are asking him to do. God gave this command to the Israelites for the care of an animal so how much more the care for person who is working among you with a spiritual task. The questions from Paul continue.
v.10, 11 - Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Paul is saying that the illustration of the ox on the threshing floor isn't just for the animal but for the man too. As he keeps with this agricultural idea, the plowman and the thresher are workers of the harvest. They need energy to keep going to see the process be completed so that the crops can be shared. They are working and being supplied resources to keep going but the outcome is a benefit to themselves and to others.
The Christian worker who is spiritually feed the flock needs to be supported so that they can continue to work for the harvest of souls. The financial support given by the church to spiritual leaders allows the gospel message to spread with others in mind beyond the church and the spiritual leaders.
v.12-14 - If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.
I like it when Paul uses the words like "nevertheless" because they are not so much a part of our language anymore. Even though he did not ask anything of them but he could have and probably had more right than anyone to, nevertheless, the Lord directed through the Word that the support of those sharing the gospel would come from those who receive the benefit of the gospel. We have the opportunity to be a part of the process to see the gospel go forth through our financial support of those who are sharing it.
When we don't support those who are spiritually feeding us, then we are going against what the Lord has directed. Even though Paul didn't take support, he preached support. A crucial part of hearing the preaching of something is the practice of it. Paul is now asking the Christians in Corinth to put into practice the giving to the spread of the gospel.
"Lord, may we practice the giving of the resources that You have given us to see the gospel shared in our own community and around the world. I thank You that when I give it is more than just an obligation or command to follow but it keeps me from other temptations of sin when I am greedy or hoarding what You have given to me. May those serving You with the support of the church, serve in hope because we are following Your word in all things. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.8, 9 - I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." God is not concerned about oxen is He?
This is the chapter of questions. Paul uses this technique to help the Corinthian Christians question the next thing that had crept into the church, the love of money. Even though Paul didn't ask for resources when he was there, it did not negate that they should support those who spiritually feed them. He had every Biblical right to ask for help or receive help from them but didn't for their sakes in the beginning years of the church.
Paul brings them to this opinion not being an opinion because it comes not from human judgment but from the Bible. The ox is working the threshing floor and you want to keep him going so you don't have a practice of not feeding him. No, you feed him so that he has the energy to keep going at the task you are asking him to do. God gave this command to the Israelites for the care of an animal so how much more the care for person who is working among you with a spiritual task. The questions from Paul continue.
v.10, 11 - Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Paul is saying that the illustration of the ox on the threshing floor isn't just for the animal but for the man too. As he keeps with this agricultural idea, the plowman and the thresher are workers of the harvest. They need energy to keep going to see the process be completed so that the crops can be shared. They are working and being supplied resources to keep going but the outcome is a benefit to themselves and to others.
The Christian worker who is spiritually feed the flock needs to be supported so that they can continue to work for the harvest of souls. The financial support given by the church to spiritual leaders allows the gospel message to spread with others in mind beyond the church and the spiritual leaders.
v.12-14 - If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.
I like it when Paul uses the words like "nevertheless" because they are not so much a part of our language anymore. Even though he did not ask anything of them but he could have and probably had more right than anyone to, nevertheless, the Lord directed through the Word that the support of those sharing the gospel would come from those who receive the benefit of the gospel. We have the opportunity to be a part of the process to see the gospel go forth through our financial support of those who are sharing it.
When we don't support those who are spiritually feeding us, then we are going against what the Lord has directed. Even though Paul didn't take support, he preached support. A crucial part of hearing the preaching of something is the practice of it. Paul is now asking the Christians in Corinth to put into practice the giving to the spread of the gospel.
"Lord, may we practice the giving of the resources that You have given us to see the gospel shared in our own community and around the world. I thank You that when I give it is more than just an obligation or command to follow but it keeps me from other temptations of sin when I am greedy or hoarding what You have given to me. May those serving You with the support of the church, serve in hope because we are following Your word in all things. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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