D25-5: Paul’s Interesting Take On The Command To ‘Not Muzzle An Ox When It Is Treading The Grain’

Following on the heels of yesterday’s post, the Apostle Paul applies Deuteronomy 25:4 which says “You are not to muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain” in a unique way.

Here’s what he wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians:

“Did you ever hear of a soldier paying his own expenses?
or of a farmer planting a vineyard without eating its grapes?
Who shepherds a flock without drinking some of the milk?
What I am saying is not based merely on human authority,
because the Torah says the same thing —
for in the Torah of Moshe it is written,
“You are not to put a muzzle on an ox when
it is treading out the grain.”
If God is concerned about cattle,
all the more does he say this for our sakes.
Yes, it was written for us,
meaning that he who plows and he who threshes
should work expecting to get a share of the crop.
If we have sown spiritual seed among you,
is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
If others are sharing in this right to be supported by you,
don’t we have a greater claim to it?”
-1 Corinthians 9:7-12

The point and application is pretty clear.

Paul’s saying…

…whether beast or human, any living being that works and contributes should have the right to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Contextually speaking, Paul was referring to the financial support of the apostles, disciples and teachers who underwent tremendous personal sacrifice to travel to the various congregations throughout Asia to preach and teach the Good News.

And in our day and age, we use this verse to support the notion that pastors should receive payment for their work because they deserve it.

Now this opens up a whole can of worms concerning money.

For example…

Is it okay for pastors to earn a 6-figure salary?

Or…

…should they be paid less than the average congregation member earns?

Or…

…is one obligated to give ALL of his or her tithes and offerings to the pastor or just one congregation?

One thing I’m confident Paul is NOT saying here is that a teacher or evangelist should have all of his needs met by the congregation.

We know that Paul had a craft that brought him income when needed but there were also times when he couldn’t work because he was traveling to different locales to preach and teach. 

What I’m seeing here is a case-by-case situation and this is the viewpoint most Rabbis hold to today.

If one has an abundance of time to BOTH serve in the ministry and work, that’s what he should do.

On the other hand, if one is called into full-time service to serve a flock, then at least at a bare minimum his needs should be met.

One final point.

According to the Hebrew sages, the instruction that “an ox should not be muzzled while he threshes” was never considered an unyielding or “do-or-die” commandment from the Lord.

They viewed it as more of a proverb that provided wisdom for living a redeemed life in harmony with the Creator and His creation rather than a law when if violated would result in God’s wrath.

Hence, muzzling an ox while it was out treading the grain didn’t result in harsh consequences.

It was seen as just NOT a wise nor kind thing to do.

In addition, by not obeying this instruction, one could very well have been forsaking blessings that would have been forthcoming had they obeyed it.