CARE FOR THE WORKER?

The Financial Obligation of the Global Church to Ministry Leaders

By Pastor Stephen Webster

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor… 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

​  Paul’s pastoral letters are filled with practical instruction regarding the administration and care of the church. In particular, he repeatedly concerns himself with the treatment of those who spiritually care for God’s people and do the work of ‘full time’ ministry. This treatment of “those who labor" extends to financial provision explicitly. The above verses represent a clear call to the church to provide for those who shepherd and give their lives to the work of ministry. A closer look at the phrases of 1 Timothy 5:17, 18 reveals the need for a more intentional obedience to the imperatives of the Pastoral Epistles.

“elders who rule well”

​  The word translated as “elder” here is used in the New Testament to refer to those who presided over the churches as “overseers”. The immediate context of 1 Timothy 5 includes extensive instructions for the care of widows (5:3-16). Paul’s attention then turns to those who are providing care for those supported by the church. To “rule well” is to “direct the affairs of the church well” (5:17) or to be a “good leader.” The elders are to the church what a father is to his family: he leads, manages the affairs and supervises. To “rule well” here seems to refer to the excellence with which the leader has carried themselves.

“considered worthy of double honor”

​  To be “considered worthy” is to be judged as deserving of receipt of something (in this case “double honor”). “Double honor” likely means the respect that is appropriate for someone who is known for “rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). It also means financial remuneration, as is evidenced by Paul’s reference to Deuteronomy 24 and Leviticus 19 in 1 Timothy 5:18. A person who “rule(s) well” is judged to have done so only after some time has passed, and such a person would be appropriately rewarded with compensation appropriate for one who has dedicated their life to what we call today, "ministry."

Paul’s explicit naming of this responsibility lends it considerable weight. The language of 1 Timothy 5:17 presumes that there are some who help lead in local congregations who do not have the regular responsibility of preaching and teaching. The word translated “especially” indicates that there is a plurality of leadership, that honor should be given to all the elders, but a special (“double”) honor should be given to those who labor in ministry.

“you shall not muzzle an ox…”

​  Paul’s quotation of Deuteronomy 25:4 carries special weight here, since he quotes the verse elsewhere in the New Testament documents in his first letter to the Corinthians. Repeated quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures in the letters of the New Testament is striking, since there are only 13. To refer to the same Scripture repeatedly indicates that the verses in question were prominent in Paul’s mind, and that they represented necessary testimony to the churches scattered throughout the world of the 1st Century. The particulars of the quote from Deuteronomy reveal that oxen were valued as indispensable to work in the predominantly agricultural society of the ancient world. To prevent the animal from eating while they were working to “tread the grain” would be cruel and make their labor wearisome. Those who work and labor are entitled to the supply necessary to make their work possible.

“The laborer deserves his wages”

​  The second quotation from the Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Timothy 5:18 is taken from Deuteronomy 24:15: “You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin.”

Those who provide wages for laborers are expected to treat them fairly. To not do so was a matter of sin under the Mosaic law and though no longer under the Law, Paul’s repeated citation of this verse indicates that the principle (not unlike the principle of the Sabbath) is still in place as a matter of good practice. Deuteronomy 24:15 is also quoted by Jesus in his instructions to the seventy-two as they are sent out (Luke 10:7). Those who serve the Lord should expect hardship as they go, but also that their basic financial needs should be met. Jesus’ instructions to the seventy-two indicate that they should not “go from house to house” looking for better offers and more glamorous accommodations. The promise of provision does not extend farther than what should be honestly provided for a day’s work.

Implications for Retired Christian Workers

A careful look at 1 Timothy 5:17-18 reveals the following principles:

One:

Those “deserving honor” are revealed to be so only after they have served for some time.

Two:

The honor that should be bestowed on faithful leaders and preachers extends to financial compensation.

Three:

The global church should help to provide for the basic needs of the worker and provide a level of financial stability so the worker can better focus on the day to day of ministry.

​The vast majority of global Christian workers transition from “full time ministry” after many years of faithful service in obscurity. Their faithfulness does not always lead to the financial stability that comes with notoriety or fame, but is no less precious in the sight of the LORD and to the people they have faithfully served. The global church has a responsibility to see that these workers' needs are met at every stage of their ministry. Christian workers in the developing world have often chosen to sacrifice financial riches to serve the Lord and served with distinction over the course of many years. These workers, and the organizations they represent, should not be left to shoulder the financial burdens of growing older alone.

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As a pastor, I am so excited to see how the Lord uses my friends at TALENTA to serve my fellow ministry workers in the global church.

Steve Webster | Senior Pastor | Woodburn Missionary Church