“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4 cf. 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18).

This may concern a rented or borrowed animal.  Consider these words, “There are two basic options for the identity of the man to whom this command is directed: he is either (1) the owner of the ox, or (2) the someone borrowing or renting the ox… If the command is directly to the owner of the ox… it is difficult to understand why the stipulation is required in the first place.  Oxen were viewed as property, and there was a built-in motivation for maintaining one’s property to perform at a maximum level.  It is difficult to see why the command would make it into mosaic law given the self-interest that would already ensure such action… This leaves us with the situation of a man borrowing or renting an ox to thresh his own grain.  In that event, his self-interest would entail preserving as much of his threshed grain as possible; on the other hand, he would have no intrinsic motivation to let the ox eat of his grain.  If the animal ended up in a weakened state or unhealthy as a result, the situation does not result in any economic loss of his end” (Justin Taylor, Do Not Muzzle the Ox: Does Paul Quote Moses out of Context?, August 28, 2012, thegospelcoalition.org).  Furthermore, consider the context.  All other laws in context concern humans.  “Deuteronomy 25:4 in context is not fundamentally a law about how to treat animals humanely but rather a law about how to properly treat the property you are borrowing or renting from someone” (ibid).  This makes sense.  However, there are those who do mistreat even their own animals (Proverbs 12:10).

Paul quotes this verse twice: (1) In 1 Corinthians 9:9, he uses this passage to argue that preachers have the right to financial support.  He says, “If we have sown spiritual things for you, it is a great thing if we reap your material things?” (1 Corinthians 9:11).  (2) In 1 Timothy 5:18, he uses this passage to argue that elders have the right to financial support.  He not only quotes Deuteronomy 25:4, but also, quotes Luke 10:7 which says, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”  It is worth pointing out that he refers to both passages as “The Scripture.” 

We should treat others fairly (cf. Matthew 7:12).  “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18).