Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to Jews in material needs.
The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, the worker is worthy of his wages.
For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned with oxen?Or isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop.If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more? However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar?In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.
