TUESDAY May 6, 2025
Giving Double Honor
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18
Paul set up a worthy practice. In the ministry, pastors and elders who oversee the congregation well were worthy of double honor¬¬, especially those who labored in God’s Word and doctrine––they should receive wages. Paul referred to an Old Testament Scripture in Deuteronomy 25:4: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Ethically, the laborer is worthy of his wages. God intended for people to be treated fairly. They worked hard, so they should receive wages promptly:
Deuteronomy 24:15: “Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you.”
Leviticus 19:13: “ ‘You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.’ ”
I believe that in ministry there must be a good balance. A pastor or elder should not live above the people; he should not receive exorbitant amounts of money––a fair wage is usually set by the church board. There are very good reasons why a pastor should receive a salary, as well as elders who are on staff. When pastors or elders are in full-time ministry, they are able to give themselves to prayer, the Word of God, and take care of the needs in the body of Jesus Christ.
I know there are pastors who are working a secular job out of necessity to provide for their families, but they are still attempting to do the counseling, teaching, and studying. They are exhausted, and some become totally defeated pastors. It is good for pastors not to have to work outside of the ministry if they can be supported by the church.
Obedience to the will of God is the pathway to perpetual honor and everlasting joy.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
