First Corinthians 9 Part 3 God's Command To Support Gospel Work

Those who labor in gospel ministry have a right to expect their temporal needs will be met by the local church. 

1 Corinthians 9:9-11  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10)  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11)  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 

We can understand the scope of the problems within the church at Corinth by noticing how much time Paul devoted to correcting various issues.

False teachers and people were puffed up with pride and arrogance. They relentlessly attacked the authority and character of Paul.

Paul did not ask the church at Corinth to cover his costs for travel, lodging, food or other necessities related to preaching the gospel.

He worked with his hand making tents to provide funds that he needed. 

However, the apostle also pointed out that it is right for the local church to contribute financially to support the apostolic ministry. 

Paul referenced the law of Moses that mandated care for the oxen that tread out the corn. They were allowed to eat some of the grain that they were treading out. 

In like manner, God expects the churches and His redeemed people to be cheerful givers in supporting gospel ministry. 

Offerings from the people of God have always been the means God uses to support the work that He is doing. 

All of the funds and materials required to construct the Tabernacle were donated by the Hebrews redeemed from Egypt.

Now, the Spirit of God guides Paul to use an agriculture analogy. 

A farmer plows his fields and plants seed hoping for an abundant harvest of corn, wheat, oats or barley.

He rightly expects that he will reap plenty of grain at the time of harvest to make bread and to have seed to plant for next year.  

Gospel ministry is a spiritual work and we must support our pastors.

Isaiah 55:10-11  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11)  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Paul is speaking of apostolic ministry which is a spiritual work. His analogy is very similar to one used by the prophet Isaiah. 

The Word of God is compared to life sustaining rains from heaven that drop down on the farmer's fields to water the earth. 

This life sustaining rain replenishes the water supply and causes the seed planted in the fields to germinate and grow. 

When the crop is harvested, it provides grain for bread to eat now, and seed for planting a future crop.

God says as His Word is preached it drops down into human souls. His Word will always do what the Father desires to do in each person's life. 

This is this type of spiritual ministry that Paul is involved with: gospel preaching, mentoring and discipling new converts to Christ, and planting new churches. 

A faithful pastor will not enrich himself from gospel ministry. 

1 Corinthians 9:12  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 

Paul mentions false teachers who caused divisions in the church by pitting one group against another. They did this in order to receive wages from the church.

False teachers like televangelists only care about getting more money.

1 Timothy 3:1-3  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3)  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 

They caused divisions because they were greedy of filthy lucre. Paul also mentions this in 1 Timothy 3:8 and Titus 1:7.

The phrase "greedy of filthy lucre" means seeking to make a dishonest profit. They are like the modern televangelists who line their pocket while preaching a false health, happiness, and wealth gospel. 

False teachers and faithless pastors are like greedy dogs wanting more. 

Isaiah 56:10-12  His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11)  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12)  Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to- morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. 

The prophet Isaiah aptly describes false teachers like Paul encountered. 

A faithful pastor preaches the gospel in season and out of season, encouraging and edifying the flock while also warning of spiritual dangers. 

False teachers are like a blind and dumb watchdog that cannot bark or warn his master. They are greedy dogs who are never content with what they have. 

Thus, they continue to sow discord and cause division in the churches. They were questioning Paul's authority and dismissing the apostolic doctrines so that they could enrich themselves.

False prophets are motivated by greed and covetousness and they use false teaching or preach another gospel that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

In doing this they make merchandise of the people in the churches. They solicit funds from the people of God to fund their lavish lifestyle.

Those who faithfully serve as pastors or elders in a local church have a right to be supported for that service. 

Paul then argues that the apostles who brought the gospel to each church also should receive support while they labor among the people.

Jesus taught that the workmen in gospel ministry should be supported.

Matthew 10:9-10  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10)  Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 

Jesus sent out his disciples to preach the gospel and He explicitly told them to not take money, because the workman is worthy of his meat (wages or support).

This is the apostolic pattern for ministry. 

They went out preaching the Word everywhere and those who gladly received the Word were expected to provide the support for what those men needed. 

Yet, the heart of love Paul had for the Lord Jesus Christ led him not to make demands if a church failed to supply for his physical, temporal needs. 

He would do nothing that might hinder the progress of the gospel of Christ. Paul lived out what it means to love and serve God so that one can love and serve others. 

Those who preach the gospel should be supported by those who are saved.

1 Corinthians 9:14-15  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15)  But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 

Paul is connecting his right to receive support from the local churches with a reference to our Lord’s ordination, teaching.  

Jesus stated that the workman is worthy of his meat. He also taught that the laborer is worthy of his hire or wages (See Luke 10:7). 

In both places it is the preacher of the Gospel of whom Christ is speaking. 

Remember that part of the Great Commission is "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (See Matthew 28:18-20).

Teaching Christians to support their pastors and missionaries is part of the "all things" that Jesus commanded us to observe.

Again, Paul makes his heart very clear. His love for Jesus and His gospel will not permit him to demand support from churches that fail to offer support to his ministry.

He specifically states that his is not writing these things so that he can receive funding. 

Rather, he is looking ahead to future gospel ministry and trying to make sure that future pastors and missionaries will receive support.

Paul gloried in the cross of Christ and the conversion of souls to Christ through gospel preaching. 

This was the essence of his life and if he had to suffer financial hardship because the people of God neglected their duty, he would not insist that they fund his needs.

Paul would do nothing to hinder the gospel from going forth into the world.

The apostle still has more to say about how churches and pastors and missionaries are to be supported.

Let us be cheerful givers who willingly and with glad hearts support our local church. 

Let us have the heart of Christ and the heart of Paul in these matters.

Let us submit to the authority of God's Word and His clear mandate about how His work is to be funded through His redeemed people. 

Lets us glory in Christ and the cross. Let us have hearts of love for our Lord such that we too are willing to sacrifice and be an unselfish people.

Bob