9 For it is written in the law of Moses, a“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?
10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that ahe who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11aIf we have sown spiritual things for you, isit a great thing if we reap your material things?
12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? aNevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things blest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
13aDo you not know that those who minister the holy things eat ofthethings of the btemple, and those who serve at the altar partake of theofferingsof the altar?
14 Even so athe Lord has commanded bthat those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
15 But aI have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for bit wouldbe better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for anecessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this willingly, aI have a reward; but if against my will, bI have been entrusted with a stewardship.
If we hire another to paint our houses or to mow our lawns, and we pay him, or we contract out for any other service, are not God's apostles and ministers better than these? They are feeding us spiritual food to ensure our entrance into God's Kingdom.
The principle of supporting the ministers of God's Work is in force in the New Testament church. Paul refers to the Old Testament law as his authority for taking tithes to preach the gospel. This, combined with Jesus' comments, shows a clear, New Testament application of the tithing law.
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