Tag: double honor
Take care of teaching elders!
Scripture reading for September 30: 1 Timothy 5
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of other; keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:17-22
As a believer in Jesus, we should all be a part of Christ’s church and involved in a local assembly where there are seasoned elders who teach and preach God’s Word. Men and women who are called by God and given to the church are a blessing. Church members should give them the double honor of the respect for their office and giftings and faithfully paying tithes to support them in their assignment. Paul, an elder himself, quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 as an illustration for the church family to help them in their new world view. As an ox grinding grain is not to be kept from eating, so a preacher must be fed!
In this passage he also warned Timothy and the elders not to be hasty to lay hands on anyone to ordain them into pastoral ministry. Each one involved in this ministry must first be tested for faithfulness and sound doctrine. Their lives must meet the test of obedience to God’s Word in their home and family and community before they can manage Christ’s church. Also, if there were charges against elders, they must be brought by two or more witnesses before consideration. No unsubstantiated charges were to be considered. If the elder was found guilty and would not repent, he must be rebuked in front of the church so that all may have holy fear and check their own hearts. Paul emphasized that he gave these instructions to be kept without partiality, with God, Jesus, and the holy angels as witnesses.
If you belong to a church, have you been giving your pastor and elders the double honor proscribed by Paul? Have you ever had to bring a charge against an elder for sinful behavior? How did the church leadership handle the charges?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the order and instructions that You have provided for churches and their leadership. Thank you for the gift of pastors and teachers, to which I have been called. Help me to follow and teach the full counsel of Your Word. Thank You for church members who faithfully provided for me and my family as we have taught and preached. Amen.
Honor and discipline of elders!
Scripture reading for July 1st: 1st Kings 9, 2nd Chronicles 8, 1st Timothy 5
1st Timothy 5: 17-19 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
The ‘elders’ in a church family are not necessarily old people. They are those set apart by God for spiritual leadership and specifically preaching and teaching the Word of God. This is a high calling and requires dedication and time spent with the Word of God and our Lord. These who work in this calling should have the double honor of compensation and respect for God’s calling and placing them in leadership as HIs servants. However, when there is flagrant sin in the life of an ‘elder’, the sin must be verified by two or three witnesses and an attempt made to confront and bring repentance. If sin persists, the church must be told and the elder publicly rebuked. God is not partial and neither should His church be.
1st Timothy 5:20 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for calling elders to serve the Church, Your Body on earth. May I always honor the leadership You provide in giving respect and in giving to support them. As an elder, may I always be worthy of ‘double honor’ because I live humbly before You and do all things to Your glory, without partiality or prejudging.
1st Kings 9:6-7 “But if you turn aside from following Me, you or your children, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for My Name I will cast out of My sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples.”
Elders and the Church
Scripture reading for January 8th: 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-22 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudicing, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.”
Paul gave instructions to the Church concerning the care and discipline of their elders. Elders were charged with teaching and preaching God’s Word and prayer. Those who labored–worked hard and consistently–were to be taken care of financially from the offerings brought in. If there was any charge of sin in an elder’s life, it must be brought by two or three witnesses and all facts established. The offender was to be publicly rebuked if they persisted in sin. Those who repented would humbly ask for forgiveness and mercy. These things were to be done without respect for persons or any partiality. A warning was given to be careful in ordaining elders or laying hands on them prematurely. Careful inquiry and purity of life must be ascertained before setting them in leadership.
Deuteronomy 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for clearly giving care to elders through instructions to Your people. Thank you for financial care and spiritual care and discipline. Help Your Church to do these things without partiality or prejudice.
Matthew 10:9-10 “Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.”
Do not be partial with Elders!
Scripture reading for July 1st: 1st Kings 9, 2nd Chronicles 8, 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-21 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.”
Paul gave some simple instructions to Timothy concerning the treatment of elders in the Church. First, elders that ruled well were to be given ‘double honor’. Teaching and preaching were to be held in esteem and those laboring honorably were to receive proper compensation. However, if there was sin involing an elder, there must be two or three witness before considering the charge. If found true, public rebuke was required if there was no repentance. Both of these ‘rules’ were to be kept without partiality. All heaven is watching!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for clear instructions for elders in Your Church. I have sought to keep these instructions without partiality. Help me to continue in sound teaching and preaching to honor You alone!
2nd Chronicles 8:15 “And they did not turn aside from what the king had commanded the priests and Levites concerning any matter and concerning the treasuries.”
Honor elders who teach and preach!
Scripture reading for September 28th: Isaiah 11-14; 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-20 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
Paul gave clear instructions to Timothy about the honoring of church leadership who labor faithfully in the church. Teachers and preachers deserve double honor. But those who are in sin must be confronted with two or three witnesses concerning truth of the sin. Where there is no repentance, public rebuke will help all to live in holy fear.
Isaiah 12:3-4 “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His Name is exalted.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for placing elders in Your Church to teach Your people to exalt Your Name and proclaim Your mighty deeds. Help me to give them proper honor. Amen.