“For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1 Tim. 5:18)
Elijah was fed by the brook by ravens, and at the widow’s house the cruse did not fail, how was Jeremiah fed? Almost everyone despised him for speaking the truths that the Lord gave to him, so perhaps he still ate at the table of the prophets or held some other position that offered him the finances to purchase food. Or perhaps the cruse did not fail at his house either.
What of Isaiah or Ezekiel or any other man of God who is used in their life for the glory of God, not just in a parttime ministry, but in the entirety of their day? “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 speaks of much more than our emotional state, but of our physical needs, and it is those needs that we speak of today.
Since you came to the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul how many days in a row have you gone without food of any kind, how often have you been without clothing or shelter from the elements, and how often have you attributed that to the Lord or to your employment field? 2 Thessalonians 3:10 is a big verse with most Christians, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” And while they may be correct in a sense that the Lord has blessed them with work to receive financial renumeration for their daily effort, the blessings seem to be, at least for many, the job, not the Lord, hence that verse means to them physical labor, not trusting in the Lord.
It is a fine line that I attempt not to cross here, for I offer this, what of the man of God called by God solely for His glory, whose work is Jesus Christ?
How many pastors do you suppose have what could be best described as second jobs, preaching on Sunday morning, perhaps a midweek Bible study, being reached out to by members of the congregation nearly everyday with spiritual, emotional and physical questions while still holding down a second job, just to make ends meet. Is the worker worthy of his wages or not? Will the Almighty only provide for his needs if he labors at that second job just as vigorously as at the pulpit?
How many who call themselves after the name of Jesus Christ spend more time trying to earn that paycheck, claiming it is how God provides than studying to show themselves approved?
What work truly earns the wage worth receiving?
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (Matt. 6:20) Look around you, think of the possessions that you have, how much of them are truly needful things, and how many of them are the wants that drive you to that daily, seemingly never-ending employment field?
If you are young in age, my guess would be that the thought that just entered into your mind was, “When I retire, I will serve Him full time.” Many whom the Lord God is calling to Himself fall into this trap and may possibly be as the who said he would build barns and take his ease of the burden of the daily grind. The worker is worthy of his wages, but what work are you truly expending the majority of your efforts on, those here in this life, or in the life to come?
It can be one of the greatest burdens of the mind, the man that is positive the Lord is calling him to Himself apart and out of the world, solely for His glory, trusting completely upon Him that by no effort of his own that cruse will be full every morning. If this is you my friend, you will soon see what is truly needful, and who it is that is providing for you.
