The Unmuzzled Pastor: Nourishing Souls and Speaking Truth
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“…thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox…he that ploweth should plow in hope…he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope…” 1 Cor. 9:9-10
I just saw something about this passage I’ve never seen before. To muzzle the “ox” (aka Pastor or Preacher) is not only to keep him from “eating” sufficiently from what he is producing for others, but in a real literal sense it is also to keep him from saying sufficiently what needs to be said in order to produce enough for him and all who benefit from him simultaneously.
See the connection? “…he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope…” If preaching faith is not threshing in hope, I don’t know what is!
Which leads me to a question; I wonder just how many pastors are muzzled not only from “eating” sufficiently but from speaking up specifically and sufficiently about what needs to be done about it?
I believe the pastor should be able to guide his church in ALL affairs, ESPECIALLY in those which secure the longevity and sustainability of the “ox” for the benefit of all. [Where no oxen are, the crib {feeding trough} is clean {empty}: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. -Proverbs 14:4]
Of course he should do so with discretion and within reason as needed, but he should never be denied nor rebuked for raising awareness and Biblical strategy to a legitimate need and pathway to adequately providing for the needs of him and his family.
Pray for pastors everywhere. There are some who fleece the flock and take too much advantage of their power, no doubt, but I dare say there are far more who can use (or desperately need) additional support.
Thank God for ALL who support God’s man as led and enabled by His Spirit! And a personal thank you to all who love and support me and my family in ministry. We love you all and appreciate you very much! You know who you are!
1 Cor. 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing [meaning is it “overstepping” or asking too much?] if we shall reap [harvest, cut down with a sickle] your carnal things [those things which sustain the body/natural world]?
—
Even so hath the Lord ordained [arranged, appointed, prescribed, given order] that they which preach the gospel should live [be in full vigor, fresh, strong, efficient] of the gospel. -1 Corinthians 9:14
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
“…thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox…he that ploweth should plow in hope…he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope…” 1 Cor. 9:9-10
I just saw something about this passage I’ve never seen before. To muzzle the “ox” (aka Pastor or Preacher) is not only to keep him from “eating” sufficiently from what he is producing for others, but in a real literal sense it is also to keep him from saying sufficiently what needs to be said in order to produce enough for him and all who benefit from him simultaneously.
See the connection? “…he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope…” If preaching faith is not threshing in hope, I don’t know what is!
Which leads me to a question; I wonder just how many pastors are muzzled not only from “eating” sufficiently but from speaking up specifically and sufficiently about what needs to be done about it?
I believe the pastor should be able to guide his church in ALL affairs, ESPECIALLY in those which secure the longevity and sustainability of the “ox” for the benefit of all. [Where no oxen are, the crib {feeding trough} is clean {empty}: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. -Proverbs 14:4]
Of course he should do so with discretion and within reason as needed, but he should never be denied nor rebuked for raising awareness and Biblical strategy to a legitimate need and pathway to adequately providing for the needs of him and his family.
Pray for pastors everywhere. There are some who fleece the flock and take too much advantage of their power, no doubt, but I dare say there are far more who can use (or desperately need) additional support.
Thank God for ALL who support God’s man as led and enabled by His Spirit! And a personal thank you to all who love and support me and my family in ministry. We love you all and appreciate you very much! You know who you are!
1 Cor. 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing [meaning is it “overstepping” or asking too much?] if we shall reap [harvest, cut down with a sickle] your carnal things [those things which sustain the body/natural world]?
—
Even so hath the Lord ordained [arranged, appointed, prescribed, given order] that they which preach the gospel should live [be in full vigor, fresh, strong, efficient] of the gospel. -1 Corinthians 9:14
~ Pastor Gary Caudill