It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.For the Scripture says,“ You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and,“ The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
For it is written in the law of Moses,“ You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.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?Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
