Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 9:7–10
God had Paul continue to challenge the believers in Corinth as we read this in 1 Corinthians 9:7–10: “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? 8 I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9 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? 10 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.” As God led Paul to challenge the Corinthian Christians, He had Paul use a few examples to help enlighten the believers in Corinth. Paul mentions that a soldier would never serve in the military at his own expense, nor would a vine keeper be deprived of eating the fruit from his vineyard. Also, those who shepherd flocks enjoy the milk from their flock. Then, God had Paul quote the words that God had given to Moses in Deuteronomy 25:4. However, Paul then states that God was actually speaking to them so that everyone would understand that both the one who plows the field and the one who then threshes the grain should expect to receive a share of the harvest.
Challenge & Application
Why should the church take care of every pastor? (See also 1 Timothy 5:18 for help.)
What lesson does God want all churches to understand and why is this so important?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!