Render the Man of God His Double Honor
The call for the Bible is to give the pastor double honor. Here's what the Bible says concerning elders in the Church:
Laboring in the word (Scripture) and doctrine isn't easy. The Bible is not a book that's based on private but of the Holy Ghost (1 Peter 1:20). Reading the Bible and taking it out of context is easy. Reading the Bible and carefully taking it into context and interpreting Scripture with Scripture is not an easy task. A good pastor would focus on the taking Scriptures into context and not out of context. It's easy to preach but preaching a good sermon that's God glorifying is not a walk in the park.
The job of the man of God is never easy at all. Anybody can be a pastor by name or by claim but not every pastor is truly a pastor sent of God. Do you know what makes a real pastor? Here's what the Bible says about the office of the pastorate:
Do you see the burden of being a pastor? In the Old Testament, we have the priesthood from the Tribe of Levi. Just reading through every rule that a Levite must follow and every scrutiny they're under makes one think of the difficulty of such an office. In the New Testament, the Old Testament priesthood is replaced with the job of the pastor. He must be a good example. The job of the man of God is never easy. The prophets never lived glamorous lives. Jeremiah prophesied with very little fruit. Others were tortured in the most horrible way possible (2 Timothy 3:12).
The command is to give double honor to the man of God. Do you know why tithes and offerings were ordered in the Old Testament? A tenth of one's income was used to finance the work of God. Offerings were extra offering given in order to provide extra income for other work. The Old Testament storehouse provided the food for those who worked in the place of worship. The job of the Levitical priesthood was no walk in the park. That's why God was furious in Malachi 3:10-11 because not giving tithes and offerings was robbing God's ministers of their supplies.
The New Testament may no longer mention tithing but do we consider that the pastor still needs your support? 2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves a cheerful giver. It would be time to ask to why one gives a tithe of one's salary together with love offerings and faith promises? It's all about cheerful giving. The Law requires one to give tithes out of obligation. Grace makes one give one's tithes because one loves the LORD. The Christian is no longer under law but under grace in following God's precepts. It's become doing good not out of obligation but out love for the LORD. The same can apply for giving the pastor his double honor.
What is the job of the man of God? He's the Preacher, Ambassador, Supervisor, Teacher, Organizer and Reviewer. He preaches the Word of God. He's the ambassador of God's kingdom. He's the supervisor of the flock. Every pastor is also a teacher as he also teaches the Word of God to the pulpit. He is the organizer as to avoid church chaos. He is the reviewer as he reviews every important aspect of the Word of God.
Here's how PASTOR would spell out on how to treat one's pastor in rendering double honor. Pray for your pastor that he may not fall into temptation. Assist and support your pastor through tithes, offerings and active church membership. Thank your pastor for being your elder brother or father figure in the faith. Obey your pastor when he tells you to do something within the boundaries of God's Word. Respect your pastor for he was chosen by God to lead over you.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
See also:
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Laboring in the word (Scripture) and doctrine isn't easy. The Bible is not a book that's based on private but of the Holy Ghost (1 Peter 1:20). Reading the Bible and taking it out of context is easy. Reading the Bible and carefully taking it into context and interpreting Scripture with Scripture is not an easy task. A good pastor would focus on the taking Scriptures into context and not out of context. It's easy to preach but preaching a good sermon that's God glorifying is not a walk in the park.
The job of the man of God is never easy at all. Anybody can be a pastor by name or by claim but not every pastor is truly a pastor sent of God. Do you know what makes a real pastor? Here's what the Bible says about the office of the pastorate:
Jeremiah 3:15
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Ephesians 4:11-12
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.
1 Titus 1:7-8
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Do you see the burden of being a pastor? In the Old Testament, we have the priesthood from the Tribe of Levi. Just reading through every rule that a Levite must follow and every scrutiny they're under makes one think of the difficulty of such an office. In the New Testament, the Old Testament priesthood is replaced with the job of the pastor. He must be a good example. The job of the man of God is never easy. The prophets never lived glamorous lives. Jeremiah prophesied with very little fruit. Others were tortured in the most horrible way possible (2 Timothy 3:12).
The command is to give double honor to the man of God. Do you know why tithes and offerings were ordered in the Old Testament? A tenth of one's income was used to finance the work of God. Offerings were extra offering given in order to provide extra income for other work. The Old Testament storehouse provided the food for those who worked in the place of worship. The job of the Levitical priesthood was no walk in the park. That's why God was furious in Malachi 3:10-11 because not giving tithes and offerings was robbing God's ministers of their supplies.
The New Testament may no longer mention tithing but do we consider that the pastor still needs your support? 2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves a cheerful giver. It would be time to ask to why one gives a tithe of one's salary together with love offerings and faith promises? It's all about cheerful giving. The Law requires one to give tithes out of obligation. Grace makes one give one's tithes because one loves the LORD. The Christian is no longer under law but under grace in following God's precepts. It's become doing good not out of obligation but out love for the LORD. The same can apply for giving the pastor his double honor.
What is the job of the man of God? He's the Preacher, Ambassador, Supervisor, Teacher, Organizer and Reviewer. He preaches the Word of God. He's the ambassador of God's kingdom. He's the supervisor of the flock. Every pastor is also a teacher as he also teaches the Word of God to the pulpit. He is the organizer as to avoid church chaos. He is the reviewer as he reviews every important aspect of the Word of God.
Here's how PASTOR would spell out on how to treat one's pastor in rendering double honor. Pray for your pastor that he may not fall into temptation. Assist and support your pastor through tithes, offerings and active church membership. Thank your pastor for being your elder brother or father figure in the faith. Obey your pastor when he tells you to do something within the boundaries of God's Word. Respect your pastor for he was chosen by God to lead over you.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
See also: