Category: Devotions

There is reward awaiting the faithful worker. He that sow in tears shall reap with joy. Indeed, he that ploughs should plough in hope. There is an eternal reward but also there is a reward for the faithful servant of God on earth. In the process of threshing of crushing, the straw is crushed and the grain is collected. Just like the worker who would receive his wages for his day’s labour, the man who ploughs and thresheth in God’s vineyard receives reward for his labour.

The law of just compensation for the worker is not just a human law but it is also God’s law as given Deuteronomy 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. The owner of the oxen who expects the oxen to plow the field must also ensure the oxen is properly fed. The oxen is to be treated such, even so the man.

Here are three questions that beg answers in the negative! Which soldier serves at any time at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends the flock and does not feed on the milk of the flock? For the shepherd to feed on the milk of the flock he tends, it is perfectly legitimate and natural for the servant of Christ to be a partaker in the work in which he engages. The Lord is a just paymaster, The Apostle Paul believes that a worker was “worthy of his hire” (1 Timothy 5:18). [Zodhiates]

When Paul and Barnabas ministered in Corinth with the establishment of the church, they did not want support from those in Corinth although they had every right to do so. There were many Corinthians who were materially affluent. They did not want any misunderstanding and be accused of coming to Corinth to enrich themselves. Instead, they worked with their hands as tent-makers. [Zodhiates]

The Apostle Paul states clearly that as a servant of God, he has the right to marry and to have his wife supported also by the church as he goes about in the work of the ministry. The fact that he is not married does not mean that he does not have the basic privilege to have a help-meet in a marital union. And by not excercising his right to marriage does not mean that others has choose to remain unmarried.

If we have worked, should we not be entitled to eat and drink? Surely. As every other human being, these basic needs need to be maintained. Yet, the Apostle Paul did not insist his basic right to food and drink to maintain human life. He did not insist even on his right. He explained in Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

The Apostle Paul was criticized and questioned for living a sacrificial life. He did not marry although he has every right to do so. He wanted to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. And he also did not receive support from the Corinthian Church although he founded the church in Corinth and the Corinthian Christians were his “work in the Lord.”

The Apostle Paul reasoned with the church in Corinth that he was sent by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to them. The fact that they are in the Lord attest his apostleship. God’s grace came upon them to open their hearts and to save them. Why did he have to speak thus? Because the believers in Corinth were resisting to amend their ways according to the counsel that the Apostle Paul was giving to them. Instead, they have chosen to undermine his authority by raising in question his God-given mandate, for their spiritual welfare.

The Apostle Paul seeks to defend his apostleship. He is divinely called by his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.

Luke recorded his salvation and all to the ministry:

Acts 9:1-18 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Did not the Corinthian Christians see the power of God in the Apostle Paul’s ministry.? Why did they question his authority?

The Apostle Paul was willing to set the example by his abstinence from meat offered to idols. He willingly gives up his right to ensure that he will not stumble the weaker brother in Christ. A commendable spirit that he seeks to inculcate in the hearts of the believers at Corinth so that the brethren look out to strengthen and build up the faith of one another. A noteworthy lesson for the believers.