The Laborer is Worthy of His Wages

1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

1 Corinthians 9:13–14 NKJV

13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Sermon Title - The Laborer Is Worthy of his Wages

Background

Jesus acknowledges the need for laborers in the harvest of souls for the kingdom

Jesus sends His disciples to the field

as sheep among the wolves

without worrying for their physical needs

accepting and living from whatever is given to them by the people who receive them

Paul was being criticized for his way in ministry

his apostleship

his rights and privileges

Paul defends his ministry using analogies

a soldier, as a farmer, as a shepherd

an ox

an O.T. priest

Paul returns to the Lord’s “commandment” -

My Main Point

If the beasts of burden (oxen) are allowed to feed as they do their work in the field (threshing), so the ministers of God should be able to live from the fruits of his labor in preaching the gospel.

Note: preacher - the person who ministers the Word to the church and administers its spiritual and earthly affairs.

preacher - the person who ministers the Word to the church and administers its spiritual and earthly affairs.

Sermon Points

How can the church give the wages worthy of the labors of its minister?

Learn and grow in giving

The Old Testament Way - Tithing

The New Testament Way - Giving

2 Corinthians 8:7 NKJV

7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

grace of giving

The Old Testament Way - Tithing

Note:

There are 3 types of tithing, in the order of priority:

the tithe for the Levites and Priest -

the tithe for the feast -

the tithe for the Poor -

The priority of tithing is the Levites and priests

The New Testament Way - Giving

Note:

in the N.T. the emphasis is in “giving”

tithing is an O.T. ordinances for the Israel nation

tithing was not mentioned or taught in the N.T.

“Giving” is not limited to 10 percent

in O.T. tithing, God set the limit of giving

in N.T. giving, God lets the believer decide how much he/she is willing to give

The churches in (the province of) Macedonia were givers

Paul used the help of Titus to teach the Corinthians church

The rich should learn the grace of giving

Everyone should learn the principles of giving

Provide a living allowance for the minister

It is the Lord’s commandment

1 Corinthians 9:13–14 NKJV

Note:

Luke 10:4–7 NKJV

4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Luke 10.

There are 3 types of tithing, in the order of priority:

the laborer is worthy of his wages

the tithe for the Levites and Priest -

the tithe for the feast -

the tithe for the Poor -

It is the church’s responsibility

The priority of tithing is the Levites and priests

The New Testament Way - Giving

Note:

Note the O.T. practice -

in the N.T. the emphasis is in “giving”

tithing is an O.T. ordinances for the Israel nation

tithing was not mentioned or taught in the N.T.

“Giving” is not limited to 10 percent

in O.T. tithing, God set the limit of giving

in N.T. giving, God lets the believer decide how much he/she is willing to give

1.) Give double honor to those who labor in the word and doctrine

1 Corinthians 9.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 NKJV

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

honor - compensation

double honor - double compensation

giving honor is expressed in giving something of value to the person

2.) Care for the minister

Care for the minister

Note the O.T. practice -

Philippians 4:18 NKJV

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:10 NKJV

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

Philippians 4.10

Support the Ministry

Conclusion

1.) Do not limit your giving to 10 percent (tithe)

The “tithe” is not the limit, but the “benchmark” (a standard or point of reference for comparison)

Abraham “gave a tithe” of all.

Why stop on “giving a tithe”? Why not “give a twentieth” of all? Or a “thirtieth”?