In our last devotional, we talked about our opportunity to become fellow-laborers with missionaries. Today we will look at two things: 1) Financially caring for those who minister (teach or admonish us), the Word to us. For me, this means making sure my pastor who teaches me each Sunday and who cares for my spiritual well-being is financially cared for. 1Timothy 5 teaches me why I should do so. 2) We will also look at the phase or idea of sending missionaries on their way, and what that means. I hope that this series of devotionals will help us understand how our good and loving God desires to bless us with the privilege of caring for His vocational (those who live by and for the gospel) servants.
Caring for the Ox
1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
The word “Elders” refers to those pastors who have the responsibility of preaching and teaching the Word of God.
What does the Scripture mean when saying that elders who teach or preach well are worthy of double honor?
How does verse 18 illustrate verse 17?
According to the last part of verse 18, Is it enough for a pastor or missionary to do the work of ministry or should they have another occupation also?
My Observation:
We should financially care for those who teach us the Word of God, and who helps us live our lives with God.
Helping Missionaries
Yesterday, we studied 3John and learned that it is good to financially support missionaries. The passages below support that conclusion.
Acts 15: 3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.
It is not completely clear, but I believe the phrase, being sent on their way refers to the church helping them financially travel to various places in order to minister the gospel.
Romans 15:24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— 25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.
Paul’s hope, which he clearly communicated, was for the church at Rome (wonder if they kissed him on his lips) to help him financially as he traveled on to Spain.
1 Corinthians 16:5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.
Paul’s desire, which he clearly communicated, was for the Corinthian church to help him financially on his missionary journey.
1 Corinthian 16:10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
Paul also clearly communicated his desire for the Corinthian church to financially help Timothy.
2 Corinthians 1:16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.
Paul not only asked the Corinthian church to financially help him go to Spain, but he also asked them to help him financially on his way to Judea.
Titus 3:13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
Paul instructed Titus to make sure Zenas traveled well by being financially generous .
The Beautiful Feet of Missionaries
Romans 10: 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
There is nothing more wonderful than hearing and understanding God’s love letter of salvation. However, we cannot hear without someone telling us. Someone cannot tell us unless they are sent to tell us. Those sent ones need to be supported. It is a beautiful thing to support those with beautiful feet.
My Observations:
- Because Christian workers, work they should be paid for it–a laborer is worthy his hire.
- Christian workers should be paid double if they do a good job.
- Missionaries cannot obey their calling if others do not pay their way.
- It is the responsibility of the Christian worker to ask Christians to help them financially.
- It is the responsibility, joy and honor for the Christian to join the missionaries work by taking care of their financial need in a bountiful way–lacking nothing.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016).