URC Daily Devotion for 1-10-2025

1 Timothy 5: 17 – 18

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain’, and, ‘The labourer deserves to be paid.’

Reflection

Whatever our particular ministry is, and we all have one, we probably don’t particularly liked being compared to any form of farm animal.  It’s not the most flattering image but here we are – Paul, in his wisdom, quoting Deuteronomy: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”  And suddenly, I find myself reimagining my ministry not through the lens of discipleship courses, mission projects or vision statements, but through the ancient, steady, sacred rhythm of an ox plodding round and round, crushing grain to make bread for others.

There is a deep holiness in that image, if we can set aside our ego for long enough to receive it.

Because let’s be honest: the ox doesn’t get much glory. It’s not flashy. But it is strong, dependable, and present. It keeps going, one foot after another, tethered to the work, slowly feeding the community through its effort.

And that, I think, is closer to the truth of discipleship and ministry than we often admit. Maybe we preach, or teach, or walk with people in grief, or visit the lonely or take the minutes —and we do it on a loop, again and again.

But here’s the important bit: Paul doesn’t just say “the ox is useful.” He says: Don’t muzzle it. In other words—let the ox eat. Let the one who labours take nourishment from the same Word they’re breaking open for others.

That hits home for me.

Because it’s far too easy, in the busyness of serving, to forget to feed ourselves. To spend our energy grinding grain for others—without taking time to chew on that Word ourselves.

The sacred rhythm of ministry must include both the labour and the nourishment. The giving and the receiving. The treading out, and the tasting.

Prayer 

God of steady rhythms and sacred labour,
let us not forget to eat from the harvest – 
to be nourished by your Word even as we share it.
Sustain us in the paths we tread,
that we may serve with joy and be fed with grace. Amen.