1 Corinthians 9:11

Sown. The figure of sowing is employed in the Bible to denote the preaching of the gospel and the impartation of the high hopes and privileges that are offered through faith in Christ (see Matt. 13:3, 19-23; John 4:38). The appropriateness of this figure is seen when it is remembered that he who sows grain in a field scatters it all over the field. So the gospel minister preaches the Word of God to all sorts of people in every condition. He preaches to all who will listen, not knowing who will respond favorably and who will prove to be like the stony ground and the beaten path in the parable of the Sower (see Matt. 13:4, 5). It is his duty to sow the seed, leaving the Spirit of God to bring it to fruition (see Eccl. 11:6; Mark 4:26-28).

Spiritual things. The Christian worker imparts blessings of infinitely more value than the material support that he receives. He proclaims the gospel, with all its blessings and consolations. He acquaints people with God, with the plan of salvation and the hope of heaven. He guides men in the way of comfort and peace; under the leadership of the Holy Spirit he raises men from the degradation of idolatry and the worship of false gods to the joy of communion with the living God; in short he, as the ambassador of Christ, invites men to receive that knowledge that will bring to them eternal life (see John 17:3; 2 Cor. 5:20). He lays before men treasures of eternal value, in comparison with which all the riches of earth pale into insignificance (see Isa. 55:2; Matt. 13:44-46; Rev. 3:17, 18; 21:3,4, 7; 22:14).

Great thing. The claim for material support appears strongly justified from the fact that the compensation to which the laborers are entitled involves something much inferior to that which they impart. Not only is it a very small thing for the Christian community to serve the minister in “carnal things”; it is their joyful duty, by which they may partially demonstrate their appreciation of what the Lord has done for them (see Rom. 15:27).