Daily Play Call #82
7 And stay on in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.
Luke 10:7 AMPC
The Laborer is worthy
When Jesus was commanding His disciples, He was telling them that whatever house they enter that they should stay there. They are worthy to have food and drink given to them because they are doing Kingdom work.
Those who preach the Gospel today are worthy to receive payment to live according to their needs. Let's see what Paul says about this.
14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:14 AMPC
It is a command of Jesus that we help those who preach the Gospel and take care of their needs.
6 Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].
Galatians 6:6 AMPC
17 Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor [and of adequate [financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 AMPC
Let's be mindful to help those who labor for the Kingdom of God. They are worthy to receive financial support for God's Kingdom.
We must Value Kingdom Work more than earthly work!
Who helped Jesus and the disciples when they were doing ministry?
Soon afterward, [Jesus] went on through towns and villages, preaching and bringing the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve [apostles] were with Him,
2 And also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been expelled;
3 And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager; and Susanna; and many others, who ministered to and provided for Him and them out of their property and personal belongings.
Luke 8:1-3 AMPC
It is also written that those who are messengers in the Faith spreading the Gospel have the right to be free from common work so they can focus on Kingdom Work which is more valuable.
“Have we not the right to our food and drink [at the expense of the churches]? Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas (Peter)? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood [in order to go about the work of the ministry]? [Consider this:] What soldier at any time serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of the fruit of it? Who tends a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock? Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons? Does not the Law endorse the same principle? For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares? [Deut. 25:4.] Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest. If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]? [Deut. 18:1.] [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.”
1 Corinthians 9:4-14 AMPC
It is good to allow the Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers to focus on ministry. This is another reason why we should support them financially so they can focus full time on serving God.
“So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food. Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty. But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word. And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte (convert) from Antioch.”
Acts 6:2-5 AMPC
Paul talks about how he received wages from other churches to serve those at Corinth.
7 But did I perhaps make a mistake and do you a wrong in debasing and cheapening myself so that you might be exalted and enriched in dignity and honor and happiness by preaching God’s Gospel without expense to you?
8 Other churches I have robbed by accepting [more than their share of] support for my ministry [from them in order] to serve you.
9 And when I was with you and ran short financially, I did not burden any [of you], for what I lacked was abundantly made up by the brethren who came from Macedonia. So I kept myself from being burdensome to you in any way, and will continue to keep [myself from being so].
2 Corinthians 11:7-9 AMPC