1Tim5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” NIV
DOUBLE HONOUR- A COMMAND BY GOD
On several occasions, I've heard some believers deride being in ministry full time. There are several opinions about the issue of being in ministry full time and I know the arguments for and against but that's not the crux of our teaching. The unspoken idea most of those who ridicule being in ministry fully have is that they're not comfortable when they see or hear that a minister is earning pay. As far as they're concerned, all those called into the five-fold ministry should be bivocational and they should work as volunteers not as one paid. That's the unspoken ridiculous mindset those who argue against being in ministry fully have. In their heart, they hate the prosperity of God's servants whereas, scriptures says: "Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant", Psalms 35:27.
What does God say about this issue? Apostle Paul, speaking by the Spirit says, "In the same way, THE LORD HAS COMMANDED THAT THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOULD RECEIVE THEIR LIVING FROM THE GOSPEL", 1 Cor9:14, NIV. This is God's word, not mine. Who ordered that preachers be supported? God. A common arguments against supporting ministers is that Paul worked with his hands and did not receive support from the Corinthian church (1Cor 9:12) but in 2 Cor 11:8, we saw that Paul took wages from other churches: "I robbed other churches, taking WAGES of them, to do you service". His arrangement in Corinth was the exception, not the rule. To expound more on scriptures, Apostle Paul supported the "double honour" citing the arrangement God had with the temple workers in the old testament: "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", 1Cor 9:13. Another scripture I love to share on this subject is the epistle to the Galatians in chapter 6:6: "Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them", NLT. This is profound.
Dearest, the scriptures has spoken to us. All texts cited were not written by me but by inspiration of God through His holy Apostle. Never allow popular opinion determine your action. I teach this with all sense of moderation not as someone after filthy lucre. I'm voicing the mind of God to you pointing you to your holy responsibility to GENUINE servants of God not for those who are using ministry as a means to an end. Don't ignore your pastor's welfare. Those who teach you God's word ( online/offline) should receive support from you. On several occasions, I've sent my seed to preachers I've not met but whose teachings has blessed me tremendously. A brother once told us that whenever a popular Christian drama ministry produces a new film, he sends a token to the ministry. That's the spirit. Right from my days in the university, as a young teenager in love with Jesus and His kingdom, I adopted a missionary for support from my meagre allowance and I allowed a village evangelist sleep in my room whenever he comes to preach in the villages around my campus. Today, it is a culture in our ministry to support genuine missionaries. There's nothing that is too much to be done for those who are genuinely working for the Lord so that they can focus on their assignment. If people see nothing wrong in giving a wealthy music star their money how much more God's holy servants. Giving is the proof that you've conquered greed.
Since the year began, what have you done to support your Pastor and others who nourish you spiritually? Have you supported a field missionary? If you haven't, do something before the year is over.