Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1 Timothy 5:17-20
The Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has spent a great deal of time teaching Christians the structure and order of the Church. Even though it seems today , many have neglected to read the instructions or obey the order of the Church. In the scriptures today Paul teaches that the elders/pastors/bishops are worthy of their wages from the Church. The Church should be financially and spiritually supporting the leaders of their Church.
In todays Church we see the extreme cases of this, first we see many false teachers who proclaim the prosperity gospel, and take advantage of their flock and receive an over abundance of money they simply don’t need. They will receive a stricter judgment from Christ (James 3:1) However while they get most of the publicity , I think they are more rare than the other extreme. I know alot of Biblical Pastors who don’t receive enough support to take care of themselves and their families. This is a sin also, a Church should support their Pastor, and not leave them to struggle , as the Pastors of the Church have more than enough issues to deal with besides finances.
As the Apostle Paul states “let the elders (Pastors) who rule be counted worthy of double honor” Does your Church treat your Pastor with respect and honor? One of the reasons the pulpit has become so watered down in these last days, is because the Church shows very little respect or honor towards true Shepherds of the Church. This does not just imply financial support, but respect overall. The submission and obedience to the authority of The Lord , Gods Word, and the Holy Spirit is rarely found in the Church today, which leads to disobedience to the leaders of the Church from spiritual authority.
“Those who labor in the word and doctrine” A genuine Pastor should spend most of their time preaching and teaching the Word of God. Todays Church model, the Church wants the Pastor to be an entertainer, a counselor, a youth leader. This is why the state of today’s Church is so spiritually dead, the Pastor needs to focus on feeding the sheep the Word of God, which today’s carnally minded Christians find boring or irrelevant. This is another reason our pulpits are flooded with false teachers and goats.
“The scripture says you shall not muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain, and the laborer is worthy of their wages” If we want to get back to building an Apostolic Church, then we need to get back to the basics and support our leaders of the Church. Christ is The Head of The Church, and we need to be in submission to the authority of our Lord, Amen!
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