Supporting Those Who Labor by David Jeremiah

Monday, January 29 Supporting Those Who Labor    For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”  1 Timothy 5:18    Next time you pick up your clothes from the dry cleaner, pick up food at the grocery store, or pick up your car from the mechanic…try leaving without paying the bill. You wouldn’t do that, of course. But because no one gives you a bill when you attend church, it’s easy to forget that those who labor in the ministry have to support their families as well—not to mention pay for the expenses of maintaining a building and other ministry endeavors.

Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:7-14

From the first century, financial support of those who minister the Gospel has been understood. Jesus told His disciples that “the laborer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7). Paul told the Corinthians that he and his co-laborers had the right to claim financial support even though they gave up that right (1 Corinthians 9:7-14). And he wrote to Timothy that the church leaders in Ephesus were “worthy of [their] wages” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Are you a faithful and generous financial supporter of the church you attend? Remember that God’s laborers are worthy of their hire. Money is never more wisely used than in forwarding the cause of God. George Barlow