Scripture to Read: 1 Timothy 5:17-18
God continues to speak clearly to us as we walk through His Word. In 1 Timothy 5:17-18, through Paul, God tells Timothy (and all of us today) that an elder (preacher, pastor, under-shepherd, minister) who serves well is “worthy of double honor.” God is making the point by saying that pastors are “worthy of double honor,” meaning they should be paid for their labor. God already made the point in 1 Timothy 5:3 that widows are to be honored, so God makes the point and says that pastors who serve well are “worthy of double honor.” God also mentions that the pastors who are worthy of double honor also work hard at preaching and teaching His Word. Every pastor must work hard at being a good steward of God’s Word. Of course, every believer needs to read, study, and memorize God’s Word daily to grow in our walk with Him. But pastors are responsible for equipping the saints for God’s work (Ephesians 4:11-13). A big part of equipping the saints is through teaching and preaching God’s Word. God uses Paul, in verse 18, to quote straight from His Word (Deuteronomy 25:4) to solidify that a pastor who does well is worthy of being paid. The reference to the ox not being muzzled was to let the ox eat while it was working. The pastor has to be able to eat and take care of his family, so not to pay him would be like keeping the ox from eating while the ox worked.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about taking care of pastors within the church?
2. How are you obeying the Lord through your financial gifts to the church so the pastors and ministries can thrive?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!