Monday Memo 1214: The King Pays for Kingdom Work

We're coming to the end of our study on purpose and finances, but there are still important lessons to learn and be reminded of before we close. In this chapter, let's look at what Paul taught concerning gospel workers and their provision:

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:7-14, ESV).

Paul's remarks pertain to those who are working to spread the gospel, but I believe we can apply what he wrote to a different context without violating God's intent. Let me explain.

When you're functioning in your creative purpose, you're serving God indirectly while you serve others. So isn't God the one who "hired" you? Isn't He the one who ultimately pays you? Should you not have a right to "share in the crops" of the harvest from your work as God promised, but the crops are not only from where you work but the Kingdom work you do? Since you're a citizen of the Kingdom, the King and not your place where you work is ultimately responsible for your care since you're working for Him.

Thus, you can expect God to stand behind the principles that Paul described as you do His work. What's more, your provision isn't limited to your field of work, but can come from any source the King chooses to utilize since He is drawing on resources from His entire Kingdom and not just your place of employment. Since God is the one who established the principle that the "ox should never be muzzled," then He must stand by His own principle and provide freely for you in the Kingdom work you're doing.

This truth has set me free to do what God has created me to do, which I recognize as such because of the joy I have in doing it. I can do my work on social media, regularly posting encouraging words and teachings for anyone to access, because God will somehow pay me through the means He chooses. I can help others publish their books and not charge them a fee that represents the actual amount of time I must invest because I'm doing God's will by serving them. He will provide for me from sources beyond my publishing work.

Go back and read again what Paul wrote, but this time see yourself as the recipient of the promise of provision no matter what work you're doing. Read his verses out loud and say your name anyplace it fits: "God shall not muzzle John when he treads out his grain." As you do, it will liberate you from seeing what is right in front of you as your only source to a larger vision of the fact that God is the one paying you. And He stands behind His edict that "a laborer (insert your name) is worthy of (his/her) wages." Isn't it comforting to know God is your paymaster and will never allow you to work without being well taken care of? Have a blessed week! 

 

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