Topical Bible: Money was Given: As Wages

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of money being given as wages is a recurring theme that underscores the value of labor and the principle of fair compensation. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of paying workers their due wages, reflecting a broader divine principle of justice and fairness.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 29:15-20 · The account of Jacob and Laban illustrates the concept of wages in the context of labor. Laban offers Jacob wages for his work, and Jacob agrees to serve seven years for Rachel. This narrative highlights the agreement and expectation of compensation for labor: "Then Laban said to him, 'Just because you are my relative, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.'"

2. Leviticus 19:13 · The Mosaic Law explicitly commands fair treatment of workers, emphasizing the timely payment of wages: "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand."

3. Deuteronomy 24:14-15 · This passage reinforces the ethical obligation to pay workers promptly, especially those who are poor and dependent on their wages for survival: "Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them."

New Testament References

1. Matthew 20:1-16 · The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, told by Jesus, illustrates the kingdom of heaven and the principle of divine generosity. The landowner pays all workers the same wage, regardless of the hours worked, emphasizing the sovereignty of God in dispensing grace and reward: "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'"

2. Luke 10:7 · Jesus instructs His disciples on the principle of receiving support for their labor in ministry: "Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the worker is worthy of his wages."

3. 1 Timothy 5:18 · Paul reiterates the teaching of fair compensation, quoting both the Old Testament and the words of Jesus: "For the Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The worker is worthy of his wages.'"

Theological Implications

The biblical mandate for fair wages is rooted in the character of God, who is just and righteous. The consistent biblical emphasis on paying workers fairly reflects God's concern for justice and the dignity of human labor. The principle that "the worker is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7) underscores the value of work and the moral obligation to honor agreements and provide for those who labor.

In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of wages also serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, such as the wages of sin being death (Romans 6:23), contrasting with the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. This duality highlights the ultimate justice and grace of God in the economy of salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 3:7
They gave money also to the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, to them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 20:2
And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 5:4
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

John Chapter xiii. 26-31.
... but thought only of his money gain, and found the loss of his soul. He got the wages
he wished, but had also given him, against his wish, the wages he merited. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxii john chapter xiii.htm

The Entrusted Talents.
... economics; he might either confide to his servants generally the management of his
estate, and give them wages according to ... The money was given in order ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xiv the entrusted talents.htm

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
... They had, no doubt, given their half-shekel like others ... We, too, have to give our
money and our labour ... do it for higher reasons and looking for other wages. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/glad givers and faithful workers.htm

'To Him that Hath Shall be Given'
... but it pours, and the man that needs more money least gets ... coins of the realm as
what was called 'arles'"wages in advance ... 'To him that hath shall be given.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/to him that hath shall.htm

Home as a Stewardship.
... me, and I will pay thee thy wages," was not ... Other parents prostitute the holy trust
of home to money. They are "self-willed" stewards, "given to filthy lucre ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter vi home as a.htm

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
... Neither beauty, nor age, nor money, nor mental powers, should be ... our beloved child
to Him who had given her to ... six or eight children and small wages, think of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/the hearts desire given to.htm

Seal and Earnest
... The 'earnest,' of course, is a small portion of purchase-money, or wages, or
contract-money, which is given at the making of a bargain, as an assurance that ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/seal and earnest.htm

Amaziah
... and lose the talents, than keep the money and lose ... God's command, without receiving
eventually sufficient wages for it ... habits"there will be more given to you ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/amaziah.htm

John Chapter iv. 18-Jan
... Surely thou feedest him to whom thou art to give wages. ... The precepts of love, given
to us by the Lord, are two ... did the host take "two" pieces of money, for the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xvii john chapter iv.htm

The Motives of Judas in Betraying Jesus.
... whole sum amounted to about four months' wages of a ... only the general term argu'rion
is given; and that ... discrepancy seems to presuppose that the money was just ...
/.../section 264 the motives of.htm