Deuteronomy 25:4
“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.”
This passage has many applications. The ox is owned by a farmer. His crop is for his family, but also to sell in the market place. The ox cuts into the profits as it eats while threshing. This may upset the farmer. He may be tempted to muzzle it. However, God’s kindness to animals shows forth. The animal is do a service. In a sense, it’s a reward. In another sense, to feed the ox is taking care of his investment. He’ll need this ox for a long time. It’s to his advantage to feed him and keep him healthy.
We are to be kind to our animals. Most people have pets. They give us so much. They are eager to see us. They give affection endlessly. We are better for having them in our lives. We should feed, walk and care for them.
In a broader sense, the ox represents the farmer’s investments and income. We have plenty of things that fall under that category. We are to take care of them. Our cars are one example. We are to keep them clean and to perform the necessary maintenance. Our homes are to be cared for and kept up. To keep up our investment includes modernizing. We need to put money into it.
A New Testament application of this passage is about paying pastors and church workers (1 Timothy 5:17,18). This exact passage is used. The pastor spends time studying and teaching. We gain much encouragement from this. He also is involved in pastoral care. Verse 18 says that a “worker is worthy of his wages.”
Lord, help us to care for our investments and also to invest (tithe) in those who care for us (our pastors).