Today’s Bible Reading:
2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22-23; 1 Timothy 5
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: Honor
SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 5:17-18
17 The elders
who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox
while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his
wages." (1 Tim 5:17-18 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Here is a directive to the church
that isn’t often followed well. Those whose occupation it is to serve as
ministers—especially those whose labor is that of preaching and teaching—and
who are serving well in that capacity, should be receiving twice the pay. The
word for “elders” (presbuteroi) here
generally refers to older persons involved in the presbytery or oversight of
the church. The word for honor (timees)
literally means value or money paid, and by analogy esteem and dignity. Reasonable
questions to be asked in this light include: If the older preachers and
teachers are supposed to be receiving two times the pay, what is the rate that
is to be doubled? And what age is considered elder?
APPLICATION:
Obviously Paul is not proposing a
mathematical formula, but a principle that is meant to reveal attitudes and
spark response. The real questions to be asked within Christian organizations
are: Are we offering proper due honor to those who serve us well, and if not,
how can we value and resource these leaders more fittingly?
PRAYER:
Lord, my prayer is not for myself
as an elder pastor/teacher, but for Your Church. Those who answer Your call to
serve in ministry and who carry out that calling with effective devotion, do so
out of a love for You and for people, not for a paycheck. May Your Church be
blessed with resources and the same giving attitudes of their godly leaders,
that double honor may be freely given without undue fiscal burden.
For the sake of Christ and by Your
provision. Amen. -AP
No comments:
Post a Comment