Paul reminds us that we should share all good things with those who dedicate themselves to teaching us the word. As part of our giving back to God, we must pay our pastors for the work they do in our local church.

The principle of sowing and reaping is so important. It is an illustration from farming. The farmer sows wheat seeds and rightly expects wheat to grow. In the same way, if we plant what is displeasing to God, then we will reap God’s displeasure and the consequences of that displeasure. However, if we plant what is pleasing to God (walking in the Spirit) then we reap eternal life. It is important to remember that Paul is writing to believers so he cannot be using “corruption” and “eternal life” to refer to eternal punishment and eternal salvation. Our salvation is always secure. Our reaping is the consequences of our sowing, now, in the future, and especially when we are considered for reward at the Bema Seat of Christ. Paul encourages us not to grow weary of doing good because we will reap “if we do not give up.” This is another pointer to the fact that he cannot be speaking of eternal salvation because that is not something we receive by not giving up in any kind of work—it is ours by faith alone. We will be rewarded if we persevere in good works toward everyone, especially to our fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ, “those who are of the household of faith.”