Note 6 at 1 Tim. 5:18: In the previous verse, Paul instructed Timothy to give the elders who were doing a good job twice the financial benefits as the other elders, especially those who labored in the Word and in doctrine. Now he draws on scripture to reinforce his instructions.

Deuteronomy 25:4 commands us not to muzzle the oxen that tread out the corn. In 1 Corinthians 9:9-10, Paul used this same scripture and made it clear that this was written for the purpose of teaching about ministers receiving money, not about how to feed oxen.

The illustration is that in the same way an ox who is working needs to be fed, a minister who is ministering, needs to have his needs met too. Many people would treat their barnyard animals better than their ministers, if not instructed otherwise.

Note 7 at 1 Tim. 5:18: Paul used an Old Testament scripture from Deuteronomy 25:4 to verify his instructions about ministers receiving financial benefits from those to whom they minister (see note 6 at this v.). Now he quotes Jesus on this same issue and refers to what Jesus said, as the Word of God. He refers to Jesus' statement to the disciples He had sent out. He told them not to provide money for themselves and not to go from house to house as a beggar because, "the labourer is worthy of his hire" (Lk. 10:7).

Jesus was teaching that a minister deserved the support of those he ministered to. He shouldn't look at their support as pity but as payment. A man who labors at a secular job doesn't look at his paycheck as charity; he earned it. Yet many people see a minister as just living off of other people, but if he is a godly minister, that is not so. He is laboring in the Word and doctrine which is very important and deserving of a good paycheck.