1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
“Now we ask you brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in Love because of their work” 1 Thess 5:12-13.
The lord Jesus gave gifts unto men . He set men in offices of the Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Evangelist and Pastor. Just as the King and/President appoints people in high positions to serve his subjects, so has the Lord placed some of His children in positions of service to man.
Jesus explained the rule of governance in His Church - The greatest must serve! Those that Jesus has placed in high offices ought to serve, and not Lord it over their surbodinates. However, those they are serving also owe them honour and love, according to the Word of God.
In ancient Israel, it was common practice to send gifts of offerings to Prophets. A good example of this practice can be found in 1 Samuel 9:6-8 when Saul and one of his father's servant were looking for their missing donkeys -
But the servant said, “I’ve just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let’s go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”
“But we don’t have anything to offer him,” Saul replied. “Even our food is gone, and we don’t have a thing to give him.”
“Well,” the servant said, “I have one small silver piece. We can at least offer it to the man of God and see what happens!”
This was a free will offering that they planned to give to Samuel. Samuel was not demanding for it, as Samuel did not charge for serving God's children with a gift God had given to him. Similarly, Naaman offered Elisha gifts as a token of appreciation, but Elisha on that occassion declined the gift 2 Kings 5. In those days , the prophet of God was freely offered gifts by the people he served. He could accept or refuse them.
God has placed overseers over His church under the new covenant. We are to honour these men. We can honour them by obeying them, praying for them , and also by sharing the good things we own with them.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
2 Thess 3:1-2 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.
Colossians 4:3-4 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people –for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Galatians 6:6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
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