Gal. 6:6; 1 Cor. 9:7-14, Sharing with Those Who Teach

Sharing good things with those who teach, 6:6-8.

Over the years I have had different brothers help me with things, particularly keeping vehicles in good condition.  That’s not my strong point and there have always been men around who are good at it and have been willing to help.  My standard line, in requesting help, is something like this: “Let’s do a trade; you fix my car and I’ll preach you a sermon.”  It’s one thing I have to offer.  But Gal. 6:6 actually suggests this idea: the teacher shares the word; so you share with him in all good things.  It is not specific as to certain areas of needs the teacher might have; it is open to the leading of the Spirit for people, in love, to see a need and offer to help meet the need.

Caring for teachers of the word of God fits with numerous Biblical principles.

·       1 Cor. 9:7: it fits common sense.  No soldier serves at his own expense.  The shepherd enjoys the milk from the flock.  And so forth.

·       1 Cor. 9:8-10: it fits the OT law.  When the law says not to muzzle the ox as he threshes grain, Paul does not say this is a mere illustration.  He says it applies to those whose vocation is in the teaching of the word. 

·       1 Cor. 9:11-12: it fits the spiritual/material principle.  Those whose work is in the spiritual realm (i.e. teaching the word) should reap a blessing of material things.  He uses this principle elsewhere (e.g. Rom. 15:27).

·       1 Cor. 9:13-14: it was taught by the Lord Jesus.  Even as the Levites lived off the offerings in the temple, so Paul says the Lord commands that gospel-preachers should live from the gospel.

·       1 Tim. 5:17-18: it is the principle of “double-honor” which says that those who serve well as spiritual leaders should receive not only the honor of thanking them but also of financial remuneration.  He uses the same “don’t muzzle the ox” from the law and then adds, The laborer is worthy of His wages.  These words were from the law but spoken by Christ (Mt. 10:10; Luke 10:7).

As with any other husband/father, the one who teaches the word is responsible for the material care of his family (1 Tim. 5:8).  Having said this, I want to add some related principles:

·       A man who is greedy or who displays a materialistic lifestyle or motivation is disqualified from this type of ministry (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Pt. 5:2).  How can a man focused on material things carry out this spiritual ministry?

·       The teacher does not “work for” the body; he serves Christ (1 Cor. 9:15-23).  Churches with congregational government must keep this in mind especially.

·       The right to material return (and it is a “right”) is secondary to the performance of his ministry (1 Cor. 9:12,15,18).  He must be willing to jeopardize material gain for the sake of declaring God’s truth to His people.