|
Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
July 9
Click on verses for Full Scripture
|
previous - - - - - - - - - -
next
|
Today's Pathway:
|
In today's section Paul continues his teaching concerning the fact that as an apostle he was entitled to be taken care of by the Corinthian church, or whatever church he happened to be ministering in. He gives a couple practical illustrations of this in verse 7. Soldiers do not have to pay their own way when they go into battle. They are given their uniforms, boots, helmets, weapons, and protective gear. Their meals are provided for them, as are any medical needs that they might have. Plus, they receive financial compensation. Farmers who plant and reap crops are entitled to eat the fruit that they grow. Shepherds who feed sheep expect to be allowed to drink the milk that the sheep may provide. Thus apostles, as well as other ministers of the Gospel, should not be expected to pay their own way when they go into spiritual battle for their church, or when they sow and water the seed of the Word, or when they feed and lead the flock of God. Paul then makes it clear in verse 8 that he is not just giving his opinion at this point, but he has the authority of the Scriptures backing him up as well. He takes them back to the Law of Moses in verse 9. Deuteronomy 25:4 states,
"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn."
In other words, if your ox is working to grind corn, you need to allow it to feed itself with the corn. Paul then asks, "Is God only concerned about oxen, or does God have another purpose in commanding this? Is it possible that He put this in the Law for the sake of men today?" His answer is that it was definitely written to benefit men and not just animals. The principle is that if a farmer is plowing he should have some assurance that he is going to receive some of the profits from his labor. The farmer threshes in hope, for he does not know what the crop will be like. But, when the crop does come in, he should be able to partake of it.
In verse 11 Paul makes the spiritual application. He, and the other apostles, had sown spiritual things to the people they ministered to. They studied and taught the Word of God. They evangelized and discipled. They encouraged and admonished. They dedicated their lives to the spiritual well being of the people in the church where they served. Because of that, they deserved to reap "carnal" things from those that they ministered to. "Carnal" in this instance does not imply "sinful". it simply means "the things of the flesh". Normally in the Bible if a Christian is "carnal" he is behaving in a fleshly, non-spiritual manner. Here the "carnal" things are the items that a human needs in order to survive. His flesh needs nourishment, clothing and a place to live. His body needs to be able to purchase those materials that the church can not supply, but that his family needs. Paul asks if it is a "great thing" for the church to minister financially to the pastor who has ministered spiritually to them. The answer should be, "No". Spiritual things are far more important than physical things, so it should not be a burden to give monetarily in order to meet the physical needs of those who meet our spiritual needs..
Paul again goes back to the Old Testament in verse 13. The priests were provided for through the tithes of the Israelites and by the sacrifices that were offered on the altar. They were not expected to work outside the Temple, nor to obligate their wives to work outside the home. Paul says in verse 14 that the same principle holds true in the New Testament, and it still does today. Whether it be the pastor, or a visiting evangelist or missionary, those who preach the Word of God should have their financial needs met by those that they minister to.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
|
|