1 Timothy 5:17
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of
double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
In the United States many in the church have developed some
outlandish practices of referring to the local church as, that’s Pastor Hagee’s
church, or Max Lucado’s church, or Ed Young’s church. This lists just a few
people that seem to receive reverence that has no place in the kingdom of
God. I do not know any of these
men, and only use their names because I’ve heard others refer to them in this
way. I do believe that each of
these, an many others who are referred to in this manner, would be quick to
state that, I am only the senior pastor, it is not my church, it is the Lord’s
church. It would be nice to say
that this false concept has come from the media, but that is not correct, it
comes from Christians. So let me
be clear that it is a very appalling message, to all who witness, first to the
unbelievers because these have put a mere man in the place of Jesus Christ, and
they can only wonder who is being worshipped. It is also to the angels and the host of heavenly witnesses
who watch us to see what we will do with this freedom of our will. I also believe and know that God has
stated that He is a jealous God when it comes to someone, anyone taking His
place of being worshiped. He has
stated in Exodus 34:14, that His name is Jealous, and in 1 Corinthians 10:14,
the apostle asked this question; “Shall we provoke
the Lord to jealousy? Are we
stronger than he?” You
and I as followers of Christ, should never become followers of a preacher or
teacher, and our pastors would be wise to tell all who listen what Paul told
the church at Corinth, “Be imitators of me, as I am
of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
OK, it is not the elder’s church, but how should we treat an
elder who rules well? I am a
strong believer that the Bible is the greatest of all commentaries, so shall we
look in it for our answer. Hebrews
13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to
you the word of God. Consider the
outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” The Bible is very clear that those who
rule well deserve our respect; “We ask you,
brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and
admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their
work. Be at peace among
yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13,)
If we the church want to show honor to our pastors, we will
practice living at peace with others in our local church. Often, those who are controlled by the
flesh take up large blocks of our pastor’s time. The answer is honor is to be given to all who deserve honor,
and especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. And they should be paid in such a way that
they do not have to be concerned about taking care of their family. It is a wise church that meets the
financial needs of its pastor/teacher, but I also believe it can bring harm
when a large and rich congregation pays its pastor above the average member of
that local church. Pride is always
waiting at the next corner!
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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