Double Honor

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" (I Timothy 5:17). "Elder" may or may not be a term used in your church but it refers to spiritual leaders who are responsible for the general supervision of Papa's kids. And among those leaders, Paul highlights the leaders "whose work is preaching and teaching" -- preaching-teaching pastors.

"Double honor" means their work of preaching-teaching is appreciated and valued -- valued enough that they are compensated for it. However, in our society, the quarterback of a NFL team is more likely to receive "double honor" than the preaching-teaching pastor of a local church.

Diligent, disciplined, studied, prepared, gifted, anointed preacher-teachers have a short shelf-life in most churches. Their work is appreciated as long as the bottom line is met and the church is successful. But if a glitch interrupts the finances and/or attendance, the preacher-teacher becomes disposable goods. "Enough teaching. We need someone new." Which implies that we as a church have exhausted the depths of God's truth; that we know the Father as well as we want to. Therefore, we trade spiritual formation for a spiritual fix.

Paul doesn't suggest that we put hardworking preacher-teachers on a pedestal, exalt spiritual leaders, or bow in their presence. That's nonsense. Rather, Paul teaches us to honor the gift of God in a hardworking preacher-teacher. It is the gift that is worthy of double honor. It is the gift that provides spiritual meat and coaches the family of God out of infancy into spiritual maturity.

Most gifted preacher-teachers work out of a deep sense call. "Double honor" means we appreciate, value, and reward the grace of God poured out on us through the diligent work of preacher-teachers.

If we honor the gift, we honor the Giver. But if we dishonor the gift, we dishonor the Giver.