matt 10:7

"And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand" Matt. 10:7

The scriptures are full of wisdom concerning laborers. The Old Testament tells us not to muzzle the ox while he threads. This is repeated in 1 Timothy 5:18. Paul continues in the second part of that same verse, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Jesus tells the parable of the workers and the landowner - you remember the one. The landowner picks up a few workers and agrees to pay them a certain amount. An hour later he does the same. This action continues until about 5:00 PM when he again hires a few remaining men. At six, when the day is ended, he pulls his laborers together and begins to pay them beginning with the last hired. These men receive a full day's wage for the hour they worked. He does this for the remaining workers last to first. The first hired begin to talk amongst themselves. Their time to receive their pay arrives and they receive . . . a day's wage just like the other fellows. You can imagine their anger.

Jesus point wasn't about fairness. It was about the sovereignty of God. But the message is clear. The landowner must pay his workers. Jesus and Paul both felt it important to emphasize the responsibility to pay a man what he is worth.

So what is Jesus doing telling the disciples to go to the Jews and preach the good news that the Kingdom of God is at hand - then to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons," and not take a cent for your labors?! Weren't they worthy of their hire? Didn't these men who would put their lives on the line for the Kingdom deserve a bit of cash for their work? What is up with Jesus? Doesn't He believe what He preaches?

Let's examine the circumstances. First, the disciples were in training. They were not yet "master preachers". We could conclude that interns don't get paid - at least not much. Second, such spectacular actions would certainly bring about a generous spirit - the emotions of a healing would overwhelm any semblance of propriety. After all, how much would you put into the offering plate if your child, wife, father, or mother was miraculously healed of some disease or delivered from some hideous demon spirit? Third, there could be an appearance of graft. If Uncle Joseph paid a pair of disciples a hundred dollars because they healed Aunt Martha, wouldn't it stand to reason that Mayor Benjamin would offer a thousand if the same pair would come to his house and heal his son? A bidding war could erupt - and the disciples would be the richer for it. And how would that look? No, the Kingdom of God must remain pure at all costs. Then there is a fourth possible reason. Jesus was preparing a reward for those disciples that would far outweigh anything they would receive on this earth - even if they were GIVEN the earth. He was laying up for them treasures in heaven. Jesus was teaching His men about the way they would conduct THEIR ministries.

We can learn from the twelve. When we are working for the Lord, we must let Jesus set our compensation. He is much more generous than the world. He pays, not in dollars or Pound Sterling, but in heavenly rewards. Don't get me wrong. Pay your pastor - and pay him well. He is the one Paul was talking about. He dedicates his life to your service and is worthy of all you can give him and more. But don't expect to be paid for YOUR work when you teach a Sunday school class or lead a youth group or cook an Alpha dinner. If you are offered - refuse to receive anything but gratitude. Jesus will add to your eternal bank account! Amen and Amen.