Lesson 468

(Lesson 468)(11-26-12) 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the alter are partakers with the alter? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

　

In this lesson Paul appears to be preaching to someone in the Church who had obviously complained about being required to share their worldly goods to provide for the needs of those who preached the gospel.
Paul explains how he, and the others, should bear no guilt for partaking of the bounty of the flock because they had earned their keep by tending to the spiritual needs of the Churches. By using the example of how the priests who kept the temple were cared for by the offerings that were placed on the altar, Paul demonstrated that, just as in his time, today's Christians are to provide food and shelter for those who preach the gospel. "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."~