1 Corinthians 9:8-14

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.
11: If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
12: If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
13: Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 
14: So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

*** 

Paul was not saying the things he said, about the rights of an apostle, just because it sounded good. He gave Scripture to back up what he was saying. He quoted Deuteronomy 25:4 where the Lord said not to muzzle the ox when he was threshing (so he could eat of it), and he referenced Leviticus 6:16, 26 where the Lord instructed the priests who offered sacrifices for the people to eat of the sacrifices themselves. So, Paul concluded that they who proclaimed the gospel should get their living from the gospel. This is a Scriptural basis for true ministers of the gospel to receive financial support from those they minister to.

However, once again, Paul said he had not used this right but went through hardship (even working for his own support) so there would be no hindrance to the gospel. Apparently, others had used this right among the Corinthians. Paul made the point that if others were using this right, he should have even more of a right to do so, as he and those with him were the ones who first preached the gospel to them, fathering them in the faith.

It is not wrong, in fact it is Scripturally sound, to give financial support or gifts to those who preach the gospel. Those who minister spiritual things to you may reap material things from you. If someone ministers the gospel and doesn’t accept support or gifts, rather than accusing them of not really being a minister or thinking that they had no right to ask for support in the first place (or take an offering, sell a book, charge a subscription fee etc.) look favorably on them, blessing them and thanking them for their sacrifice in working to make the gospel available as freely as possible.

Will there be those who try to take advantage of this? Unfortunately, yes. There are those who try to scam people out of money, even posing as ministers to do so. Always use discernment and follow the Lord’s leading regarding who you give financial support and gifts to.



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