Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

P ART I: C OACHING U RBAN C HURCH P LANTERS • 157

C. Those who labor deserve the generous supply of those who benefit from that labor.

1. Christ’s exhortation to the disciples , Matt. 10.10 (ESV) – No bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 2. Illustrated from OT Scripture and analogy , 1 Cor. 9.9-14 (ESV) – 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 speak entirely 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. 3. Double honor: respect and sharing of resources , 1 Tim. 5.17-18 (ESV)– Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 1. From the beginning they shared tangibly with Paul , Phil. 1.3-5 (ESV) – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 2. Epaphroditus was their messenger to transport their aid to Paul, Phil. 2.25 (ESV) – I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need. D. The Philippian relationship with Paul is a prototype of this kind of essential partnership.