8. This is not only what men think. God’s law says the same thing.
9. Yes, it is written in the law of Moses: “When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth and keep it from eating.” When God said this, was he thinking only about oxen? No.
10. He was really talking about us. Yes, that Scripture was written for us. The one who plows and the one who works in the grain should hope to get some of the grain for their work.
11. We planted spiritual seed among you. So we should be able to harvest from you some things for this life. Surely this is not asking too much.
12. Other men have the right to get something from you. So surely we have this right, too. But we do not use this right. No, we put up with everything ourselves so that we will not stop anyone from obeying the Good News of Christ.
13. Surely you know that those who work at the Temple get their food from the Temple. And those who serve at the altar get part of what is offered at the altar.
14. It is the same with those who tell the Good News. The Lord has commanded that those who tell the Good News should get their living from this work.
15. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this now to get anything from you. I would rather die than to have my reason for bragging taken away.