Agricultural metaphors fill the Bible. I immediately think of a tree planted by streams of water (Jeremiah 17:7), and I understand a vine and branches and no fruit apart from the vine (Jesus discusses this in John 15).

But when told not to muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain (1 Timothy 5:18), I’m at a disadvantage. Although I lived in Kansas for several years, I never treaded grain. Family members of mine raise cattle, but none raise oxen. I’ve never muzzled an ox, although I’d like to see it done.

That said, I get the gist of Paul’s words to Timothy.

In speaking about people ministering to others—referring here to elders in his church—Paul reminds Timothy to compensate them appropriately. When leaders work skillfully and diligently, they deserve some sort of pay, because if they get hungry they’ll stop serving and go look for something to eat. Then the church loses their leadership and care.

Sounds simple, but obviously Timothy faced this problem.

A powerful animal, an ox can tread grain all day, as long as it has something to eat. I know many, many good people engaged in various ministry contexts—feeding the hungry, reaching out to the hurting and lost, pursuing justice, developing believers in the faith—responding to the Lord and faithfully at their work.

With a little encouragement and reward, these God-called servants work tirelessly, day after day. No need to muzzle people like that.

I Timothy 5 in week twenty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Varun Verma