1 Tim5:17 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. KJV
A GOOD WELFARE PACKAGE IS BIBLICAL (b)
Years back, I was in a certain office with a pastor from one of the mainline denominations in Nigeria. His church is one of those we call "Orthodox" in Nigeria parlance even though all living churches are orthodox.
In his conversation, he said he will never allow any of his children to do the work of ministry because of the suffering he experienced. This man wore a clergy shirt with a collar while saying this. I was ashamed to identify with him as a fellow minister because of what he said. However, I knew he spoke from the standpoint of pain,frustration and abandonment.
What most of us don't know is that there are people quitting ministry or tinkering with the idea of quitting because of this issue.
This ought not to be. It happened in the days of Nehemiah. Priests abandoned their priestly duties to engage in farming because there was no supply of provision to sustain their families from the people. Nehemiah, a man who knew what ought to be was the one who told the people to give their substance to support the priests so they can discharge their duties( Nehemiah 13:10-22). Thank God for Nehemiah.
This subject is not heard or taught often for fear of being misunderstood. Unfortunately, most seminaries, sunday school outlines and very few Christian literatures rarely speak on ths subject probably because of the fear of being misunderstood yet it is an issue disturbing most pastors but they can't voice out.
I wish you visit some of our missionaries in the villages, you will understand this subject practically. Living in the city seeing some preachers driving big cars can make you think every preacher is like that.
Our generation must not abandon a biblical and apostolic tradition for modernistic philosophies propagated by enemies of the church especially on the issue of taking good care of ministers of the gospel. Time and space will fail me If I have to share most of those traditions here.
Right from the time of the early apostles, welfare of ministers wasn't an issue. I don't think they were worried about how to feed their families. They faced the work fully without distraction. However, we saw from scriptures they were cared for. Unlike our day, the numbers of full time ministers keep declining.
Not many persons are willing to face the work of ministry fully because of provision even though there is no genuine excuse for saying "No" to God's call yet as humans with basic needs, we need to empathize. There is a limit to how far a bivocational minister( especially an employee) can go in the work of ministry.
Apostle Paul told the Galatian brethren that: "Those who are taught the word of God( You and I) should provide for their teachers, sharing ALL good things with them." ( Gal6:6 NLT- Emphasis mine). This is a scriptural command.
Even under the law, we saw how God made adequate provisions for the priests through the various offerings brought to the temple( Lev2:10, 1Cor9:13) and from tithes. If God could do this for ministers of death and condemnation ( 2Cor3:7), how much more for ministers of the spirit who carry grace and spread the fragrance of his knowledge.
One of the arguments put up against this subject is that Paul worked with his hands and did not receive support from the Corinthian church(1Cor 9:12). That's not totally true. In 2 Corinthians 11:8, we saw that Paul took wages from other churches: "I robbed other churches, taking WAGES of them, to do you service." His refusal to accept welfare support in Corinth was an exception, not the rule. He took wages in other places.
Most of us love to pray the Pauline prayer of provision in Philippians 4:19 but we fail to realize that Paul prayed that prayer because the brethren in Philippi supplied his needs: "As you know, YOU PHILIPPIANS were the only ones who GAVE ME FINANCIAL HELP when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God." (Philippians 4:15, 18 NLT).
All these act of generosity was what prompted Paul to pray for them saying: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"( Phil 4:19 KJV). This prayer is for those that do what the Philippian brethren did. It is premised on doing something.
Since the early church supported their ministers because it was the right thing to do, the present day church should not neglect this holy practice. Satan and his people are doling out funds to keep their footsoldiers alive and happy for their vision, why should we neglect our own?
Be a blessing to your pastor, to that missionary labouring in distant land and to genuine servants of God. Since the year began, what gift have you given to your pastor? Have you appreciated him by way of gift for his labour over your life in prayers and doctrine?
Seeing to the welfare of genuine servants of God is rewarding. If you're in doubt about this, ask the Shunamite woman(2 kings4:8-37).
What have you done to appreciate your pastor, that missionary or bible teacher from whom you draw spiritual nourishment from? If you haven't, plan to do that soon. It doesn't have to be big, it only has to be genuine and heartfelt.