Joel M Bradshaw

4Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.–Deuteronomy 25

Paul quotes this verse in 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18. In both cases the one doing the hard work is allowed to benefit from that work.

In the case of the ox, as he is trampling the grain husks, he is allowed to eat what he needs. The ox was doing the farmer a great service.

Paul gave justification for pastors to be paid for the ministry they do. I will never forget a former church hiring me and said that they didn’t want me to work any other job. I had a second job and was willing to work both. They expected a full time pastor and so they would pay a full time wage. They used today’s verse as justification when they hired me.–JMB