TITHES & OFFERINGs - 1 CORINTHIANS 9:6-14
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 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?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 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?
10 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.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 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.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. KJV
This teaching of 2nd Corinthians is by the Apostle Paul, so when you read the personal pronouns you know who is doing the speaking. We can see that the Apostle Paul uses a rhetorical teaching style of asking questions. This style is so effective because God ordains it. Whenever someone asks you a question it forces you to engage with the writer on a more personal level. We all know that each person can answer differently, so this style allows you to not only customize your answers but also ask the same questions to someone else you may speak with later. In these nine verse I count about twelve questions please notice that each verse has at least one question but the last verse summarizes the teaching with a statement, excluding a question. Now we will look at how the Apostle arrived at the conclusion of verse 14 based upon the previous verses he presented to us from God. The first thought the teacher presents is, "As a minister of God do I have the right to stop working in a secular job?" Our answer is, "Yes" you do have that right. Some would answer, "No" you should not have that right. Since the Apostle knew that there is a portion of society that believes the church would be better served if the preacher (minister) supported himself. Those who believe this often say, “why should the church be burdened with paying a salary to the minister when that money could be used to feed the hungry or bless the poor”. This sounds very similar to the argument Judas Iscariot had when a woman poured some very costly perfume upon the body of Jesus. Jesus response was, “the poor you have with you always and you can personally give to them whenever you will. However, the woman has done a good deed unto Me.-Refer to Mark 14:3-9 This is why the Apostle Paul goes right into a practical application of various occupations to show that ministers are not that different from a typical worker. As a soldier in the army the government sending you to war pays all of your expenses associated with your duty, especially during the time of service. A farmer certainly has the right to eat whatever he has planted and cared for. Likewise, a shepherd has every right to drink some milk of the flock he feeds and protects. Therefore, the correct answer to his question is, "Yes, a minister may stop doing more physical work for men in exchange of doing more spiritual work for God". The Apostle then shows us that this is not just his opinion but the Law of God (God’s Word) endorses this principle. The reason why this principle was established by God is because it is right to provide some reward to those who work for you. Since the Lord cares about the welfare of a beast of burden in verse 9 how much more does He love His servants. The Apostle then goes on to say that this was specifically written (established) for our sakes. In other words do not say, “I can see that with an animal but people are different”. No, the principle is exactly the same, if you would provide for your very own animal that works for you then you should expect God to provide for His ministers that work for Him. We understand the reason for the exchange a little better with Paul's teaching of verse 11 which simply states, "Spiritual blessings (knowledge or impartation) has natural financial value". As ministers it is not recommended by God that we charge people for our services because whatever we do we do it joyfully unto the Lord. However, God has designed a system for the tithe to sustain the ministers at churches and offerings to sustain the ministers in the field. Therefore, when someone has increased your knowledge of God through preaching/teaching or if a minister has imparted a tangible spiritual blessing from God that affected your spirit, soul or body it is appropriate to give a financial blessing back to that minister. Ministers give out spiritually as God's servants and they receive back natural blessings of provision to continue the work of God. Giving the tithe to the primary place of your feeding (typically the local church) is good and right and godly. The giving of an offering to a minister of God that also blesses you spiritually is also good and right and holy. The only difference is that the tithe is required whereas an offering is optional due to your willingness, resources and cheerfulness. The funny thing about this teaching is that Paul proves his point by verse 11 but then he changes his presentation to suit his audience with the statement that he and Barnabas have not used this right to stop doing physical working among them (the Corinthians). The Corinthians knew that both Paul and Barnabas continued to work while they ministered the gospel simply because they still needed to pay for their daily expenses. This may be the case when a church is first started or a traveling ministry is beginning. Although this situation does exist and is appropriate for certain small works of God it is not to be established as a way of life, lest we disobey God's established commandments. Generally speaking, during the transition from working a secular job while starting a spiritual ministry for the Lord both systems may be active at the same time. However always remember that a temporary solution will never be considered a firm foundation built by God. As Christians, we build upon the foundation shown to us by the Lord Jesus Christ who stopped working physically and immediate started receiving offerings for His spiritual work upon the earth.-Refer to Luke 8:1-3 Right after Paul explains their own (Paul and Barnabas) personal experience he continues with the teaching of God's original principle to solidify the Lord's position concerning this subject. In the Temple of God the priest does not come to donate a little bit of his time after working a secular job but rather he works in the temple all day long because he is completely dedicated to the Lord. A priest of God is not something he decides to do but rather that is what God ordained him to be. Being a priest is not something he does but is most assuredly who he is unto God. The Temple is our example of God's preference for His House and how we should implement His principles in today’s church. Therefore verse 14 can not be disputed by the righteous, "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel". Ministry is not a career for a designated time but rather a personal calling by God forever and for Life. Amen!
In His Love, Eric & Angela Foster