Burmese miners crouched along a watershed with their feet squelching in mud as they washed gravel to unearth rubies—the precious gem that sells for a high price. In 2014, an 8.62-carat pigeon’s blood Burmese ruby sold for $8.6 million. But these days, miners are extracting fewer and fewer gems. Like the gold rush on California’s coast in the 1800s (that dried up within a generation), the mines in the Union of Myanmar seem almost empty.
Sometimes it can feel like the church is like a stripped ruby mine: another pastor in moral failure, another church leader abusing power. But beyond the headlines, there are many more faithful men and women who serve diligently. They lead, teach, and live out the truth of Scripture with integrity, often without headlines.
These kinds of godly leaders should be highly valued—more than an 8.62-carat ruby. The apostle Paul instructed Timothy, his son in the faith, to give “double honor” to faithful, effective leaders, especially to those who teach (1Timothy 5:17). “Double honor” means to value and monetarily provide for something. Some scholars think this instruction might not have been limited to male elders but also might include deacons and deaconesses (leaders who faithfully serve the needs of the local body of believers).
Either way, talk of money and church leaders can cause most of us to squirm. But the truth is Scripture teaches us to take care of our leaders in every possible way, including financially. I think Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 5 serve as a helpful place to start considering financial payment for spiritual leadership. The worker deserves their pay. Do not muzzle an ox while it’s threshing (1Timothy 5:17–18, Deuteronomy 25:4). In other words, remuneration for the difficult work of leading is appropriate. Paul uses an example of an ox, but we could also imagine modern examples. “Don’t cut off a salesperson from their commissions.” “Don’t hold back a check from a contractor.” “Don’t keep a diligent spiritual leader from compensation for their effort.”
My husband dedicates more hours than a nine-to-five scouring Scripture, teaching diligently, and leading with integrity as a pastor. I buy milk and ground beef with the generosity of believers honoring their leaders. Our local congregation also shares with us in other ways, like filling my daughter’s closet with hand-me-down dresses or offering a vacation cabin for a retreat. They share all their good things with their teacher (Galatians 6:6).
Who teaches you in your faith? Who diligently exhorts and leads you by example? How can you share your resources to uphold them in their work? Maybe you drop off an anonymous gift card, earmark a percentage of your income for ministry, or offer another resource. It might look creative for each situation, but let’s take Paul’s exhortation to heart. Let’s show “double honor” to those who lead us well, for faithful spiritual leadership is worth far more than a pigeon’s blood ruby.
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39 thoughts on "Honor Leaders"
Great devotional today. Making me ask myself how I can participate in giving my good leaders “double honor” I need good leaders here on earth to help guide my on my faith walk and I’m
I had the same problem. I will have to use my book to go over it again. I hope it’s fixed soon.
I had the same proble
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From HRT: “There are all kinds of ways to show them honor. Write an encouraging note detailing how important their ministry has been in your life. Support them financially by regularly giving to your local church. Pray for them and their families, and let them know that you are doing so. Even so, it’s important to remember that elders, pastors, and church leaders are not without their faults and flaws. They, like all human beings, are in continual need of grace. Their rhythm of life is the same as everyone else: repentance and faith. The “good leader” is not the one who is without sin—for there is only one who is without sin, Jesus Christ. No, the “good leader” who is worthy of honor is the one who, having sinned, humbly confesses, faithfully repents, and prayerfully seeks reconciliation with the wounded party. These are the ones we should “carefully observe the outcome of their lives” and “imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).
Let us take up Paul’s challenge today and seek to honor our spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Through their faithful service to Christ, our lives have been changed forever. Even as we glorify the God of our salvation, let us remember the ones who taught us, loved us, and walked with us from the beginning until now. They are worthy of honor.” – for they are living out Jesus for us.
At the same time I ask, where is God calling you (me) to be a mentor or leader for Him. In one of my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) lessons the Holy Spirit reminded me that while saying thank you verbally, with a note, or gift is important, we too, are called, into leadership by God. When He calls, we get the opportunity to worship Him in obedience to the call. That may mean our hands get dirty. That may mean we wash some stinky feet. That may mean we are spent at the end of day while acknowledging all the good in that day, all accomplished, was/is in the power and strength of God alone. And sometimes it even means sitting and resting in His presence.
Yes, we are blessed with opportunities. Opportunities to press on the blessing of thankfulness to our spiritual mentors, leaders, brothers and sisters, while at the same time stepping forward in obedience to the call and purpose God has for our lives. In His strength. In His power. In His time. All the glory to God.
I have the work book so I know the correct verses :) but yes just going through the web browser verses the app and they should be correct :)
I need to go beyond tithing and be more appreciative of good leaders that are bravely teaching God’s Word. The saying about walk a mile in their shoes … comes to mind, and I definitely have not. While I can intellectually understand their work is vital, demanding, emotionally wrenching, life giving and so much more, I am personally clueless about the sacrifice, dedication and weight of responsibility that is always a part of their lives.
TAYLOR – praying for you. In many ways you remind me of myself in my much younger days, when I thought I was strong enough to be a good example in the midst of the temptations swirling around me. I failed miserably, time and time again. I had to practice focusing on staying away from the edge of the cliff and learn to purposefully avoid opportunities to fail rather than try to walk the fine line between should and shouldn’t. I still have to keep this in mind as the kinds of opportunities to fail change over time. With God’s help, you can do this!
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Giving honor to God involves honoring those His has given as leaders and teachers. If believers faithfully give to the local church the needs of those leaders would be met (like the Levites’ needs were met in the OT).
Praying for our leaders to be faithful and quick to repent when in error is something that should be a regular subject we bring before the Lord.
Have a blessed day