Joel M Bradshaw

17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”–1 Timothy 5

The first honor is the respect and spiritual submission due to the church leader whom God has in place. Sheep should follow their shepherd, as the shepherds in turn follow Jesus, the Shepherd. The second honor is linked to a church’s budget. We know this because Paul immediately spoke of money. He quoted Moses from Deuteronomy 25. Moses pictured an ox treading grain and occasionally eating some. Farmers were to let the ox eat. Paul next quoted Jesus from Luke 10. There Jesus told the disciples to accept the gifts of those they were serving in the ministry. These were gifts most likely of food and lodging as the disciples traveled to communities to minister.

As pastors and ministry leaders serve the spiritual needs of the people of the church, the church helps to provide for their physical needs. I have served in generous churches who cared for my family and me. As a pastor I remain thankful and grateful for how God used my church families to provide for us. Some ministry situations are volunteer. Other situations require the leader to have a second job to make ends meet. I remember being called to a small church to be their pastor. I had another job I was already working. I asked if they wanted me to be bi-vocational if that would help finances. I remember them quoting these verses and telling me that they expected me to be full time as their pastor and so they would provide for me and my wife to make that a reality.–JMB