1 Corinthians 9:8-10
1Co 9:8 Am I speaking from mere human logic, or does not the Law say these things?
1Co 9:9 Because it is written in the Law by Moses, “You will not muzzle an ox while it is threshing.” It is not the oxen that God is interested in.
1Co 9:10 Instead, isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who ploughs ought to plough with confidence, and he who threshes should do so with confidence of sharing the product.
ploughing with confidence
There might have been a tug-of-war going on in Corinth between two factions among the congregations – and both factions would be wrong. Some of the practically minded might have objected to Paul’s ministry because he was setting a bad precedent by not being paid by the church for his ministry. Others might have applauded Paul’s spirituality in trusting God instead of man. Paul’s answer to these two factions is this. Yes, I have a right to be paid, based on the principle set up in the Bible itself. He will go on and argue that he has not availed of that right, but that does not change the right.
It is right for those in professional ministry to be paid. May God bless those churches who demonstrate the value of ministry by “paying the preacher” well.
LORD, thank you for those who serve you and us by ploughing in our field.
