Wages
Jesus said, “... those who work deserve their pay”( Luke 10:7 ). He spoke this while sending out seventy-two disciples, instructing them to accept hospitality from those who welcomed them.
Direct Parallels
1 Timothy 5:18 quotes this principle directly: "For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.'" Paul uses this to argue that church elders who work hard at preaching and teaching deserve financial support.
Matthew 10:10 contains similar teaching from Jesus: "the laborer deserves his food," spoken during instructions to the twelve apostles.
Old Testament Foundation
Deuteronomy 25:4 establishes the principle: "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain"—meaning workers (even animals) deserve to benefit from their labor.
Leviticus 19:13 and Deuteronomy 24:14-15 command fair treatment of workers: "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning." These passages emphasize paying workers promptly.
New Testament Applications
James 5:4 warns against withholding wages: "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you."
Colossians 4:1 instructs masters to treat workers justly and fairly, knowing they also have a Master in heaven.
All these texts share a common theme: those who work deserve fair compensation and should not be exploited.
Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah ( Deut8:3; Matt4:4 )
-Sid Nash: 02/16/2026. Latest version: https://sidnash.org/docs/Wages.html