FROM US TO YOU Pt.7

A GOOD WELFARE PACKAGE IS BIBLICAL ( a)

Years back, there was a preacher whom I invited to be part of our programs and retreat meetings. He was very anointed. He became regular in our meetings because we enjoyed the grace of God upon his life. He was a full time minister in the town where I was.

Years after I left that town, he told me he appreciated those days I invited him because the honorarium I gave sustained him in no small measure. That sounded like flattery to me because we did not give him beyond five thousand naira If my memory won't fail me.

When we got talking, he told me that those days, his church was paying him seven hundred naira( N700) per week as a full time pastor. He was expected to be in church every week, visit members and do all that was expected of him. I couldn't believe my ears.

Actually, I thought he was always fasting because he was very lean. Little did I know it was hunger that dealt with him yet he never demanded money for ministrations. If we had known that was his condition, we would have done more for him because he was a true soldier of Christ. This is the story of many in ministry today especially in this part of the world.

Don't be deceived by the way media paint preachers as wealthy and super rich. The percentage of preachers struggling financially are more than those you see living in opulence. Some full time ministers are not collecting up to the minimum wage.

Recently, I read someone online who said he doesn't believe preachers or those called into the five-fold mimistry be paid or remunerated. I was surprised because I felt the person should know better as brother in the faith and as a student of the bible. Unfortunately, most people read other things in the bible but skip aspects that doesn't suit their philosophy.

I don't like to talk or teach about this aspect because of fear of being misunderstood especially in a world where all eyes are on preachers. However, If it is taught or commanded in scriptures, I am duty-bound to teach and explain it properly biblically.

Are preachers of the gospel entitled to a good welfare package by way of remuneration, honorarium or allowance? To answer that question truthfully, we need to find answers in scriptures not in what people are saying in the media.

In the opening text, apostle Paul admonished that leaders( especially preachers and teachers) should be counted worthy of double honour. The phrase "double honour" in the opening text is from the Greek "diplous timé". It means to add monetary value.

Literally, Apostle Paul was saying that the leaders should be well paid because he used the word "double". The following verse buttresses that: "For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “THOSE WHO WORK DESERVE THEIR PAY!*” (1 Timothy 5:18 NLT). Paul said this in context of paying preachers.

That said, we need to look at other scriptures. In support of taking good care of preachers. Paul has this to says, "Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, THE LORD ORDERED that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it."(1 Cor 9:13-14 NLT).

Can you see that it is the Lord himself that ordered preachers to be supported by those who benefit( you and me) from it? These are not my words but God's word through Paul. If you believe other bible doctrines but hate scriptures such as these, then you don't believe and accept the authority of the word of God as a whole.

Let's not bother ourselves about greedy elements who have turned ministry to their cash cow. For those people, the Lord will judge. The more we focus on them, the more we would be blinded towards those who are genuinely doing the work and deserve our support.

There are faithful missionaries in places with very poor economy doing their assignment yet no support. I know so many missionaries who are not on the pay roll of any ministry, yet God has placed upon us the duty of supporting them.

Don't join the bandwagon of those that pray that God should keep their Pastors poor so that he can be humble or so that he can suffer for Christ. Poverty is not akin to suffering for Christ. Your spiritual leader should labour over you joyfully knowing that his needs are met.

Psalm 35:27 says, "Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication and want what is right for me; Let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, who delights and takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant”.

I hate to hear about preachers struggling to pay house rent or children's school fees. Such doesn't bring glory to God and It may be a pointer to the laxity of the brethren in the area of giving. No soldier goes to war at his expense, not even the foot soldiers of hell. Why should we neglect our own?

The truth is that genuine leaders won't place their financial burdens on the people neither will they coerce people to give but their silence shouldn't be taken for granted. You have a biblical duty to provide for the needs of your spiritual leaders.

Stop the hate against the prosperity of genuine preachers. Play your role in ensuring they have a good welfare package.

PRAYER Father, I receive the grace to live up to your expectation in this regard in Jesus name.