LORD’S DAY, OCTOBER 14
1 Corinthians 9:13-18
Deuteronomy 18:1-8

“They which preach the gospel
should live of the gospel.”

THE SUPPORT FOR PREACHERS

The principle or model of support is that of the Old Testament Levites (1 Cor 9:13-14) as outlined in Deuteronomy 18:1-8: “The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him. For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever. And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose; Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD. They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.”

The principle here is that the Levites should not be distracted from their calling to study and teach the Word of God. Thus, they are not allowed to own any land, but are to live purely on the tithes and offerings that are brought by the people. As they teach the Word of God faithfully, the people will then be moved in their hearts to bring in what is necessary for their support.

Similarly, preachers today “live of the gospel” just like how the Levites of old lived of the things of the temple (1 Cor 9:13-14). The congregation must help them focus on the preaching of God’s Word.

THOUGHT: How are preachers supported in my church?
PRAYER: Father, may grace be upon Thy servants to preach Thy Word faithfully.