365 Days with God - Day 149: Paid Labor

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 149, May 18, 2014

Readings: Psalm 148, Numbers 33:50-56, Numbers 34:1-29, Joel 2:18-27, 1 Timothy 5:1-25, 1 Timothy 6:1-2

Have you ever heard anyone complain about the pastor's salary? Complain about how it's a "service of God" and how the money should be "used for better things" and so on and so forth?

That isn't right.

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." (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

This isn't a labor dispute - but our biblical teachers and preachers deserve their wages. They are working to spread the news of the gospel - both to us in the church body and to others. It's not a free service, or something we "deserve" - God has called them to preach and teach, and us to support it. We're not exempt from this equation. 

Have you thanked your pastor lately? Given praise for the work he does and the sermons he preaches? Have you given him double honor for his service? I can tell you this, as a pastor's kid - they get a lot more criticism and discouraging words than encouragement. They are working with you and for you, as well as your community, to help the body bring Jesus' hope and healing to the world. That's an important job - and one that we are called to support, with our words and our dollars.