Pastoral Elders

I Timothy 5:17-20

This passage is one of the hardest for pastors to teach on. It is not difficult because of the content. It is difficult because most feel like people are going to assume they are asking for money. While there are pastors who "Preach" for money, that is not what a God-called man does. Many of us have preached in locations where it cost us to go. There was one time that I drove 675 miles (10 hours), had 3 nights in a hotel, preached, and received a check for $50. That is not a complaint at all! I had a great time. However, it cost me far more than $50 to make that trip. It was worth it though. God called me to preach, and that is what I want to do. That being said, a preacher will not preach long if he cannot afford to eat. He will either quit the ministry to work a job or he will die of starvation.

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“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”

I Timothy 5:17-20

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While the word elder is used here, it is speaking specifically about pastors. Remember, a pastor is not to be a novice (new born) according to I Timothy 3:6, and if he is a young man, he is to let no man despise his youth because he conducts himself maturely (I Timothy 4:12). Regardless of age, the pastor is to be an elder. So, when he is doing the work well, Paul says that he is worthy of double honor. In this case, the word honor means "reward for service" because the pastor serves the people through teaching, prayer, and pastoral care. When he does the job well, he should be honored.

Paul connects this honor with provision. What that provision looks like will vary from place to place and from era to era. There was a time when giving a pastor a chicken was acceptable. The chicken could be butchered or it could be used for eggs. Either way food was provided to the pastor and his family. Parsonages or pastoriums used to be very common as well. This provided housing for the pastor and his family. Provision in Africa may look very different than provision in America. Also, the amount of provision needed will vary. The main concern is that the pastor's NEEDS are met. (Needs do not include a personal jet, yacht, or a mansion).

Paul quotes an Old Testament text in verse 18. Deuteronomy 25:4 says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain". While the law has a literal application to oxen, Paul teaches here and in I Corinthians (9:9) that this has a spiritual application to pastors and those who labor in the ministry. Don't expect them to work for free so that you reap all the benefits. Just as an ox who is not fed will become to weak to carry out his task, so a pastor who is not provided for will become too weak to do the task God called him to. We need physical nourishment to strengthen us for spiritual labor. Along these same lines, Paul quoted Jesus when he said "The labor is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7).

Finally, there is the issue of accusations against an elder. Paul says that the church should not even hear an accusation against an elder unless there are two or thee witnesses. This is not special treatment. This was outlined for everyone in the Levitical law. Moses said, "One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established" (Deuteronomy 19:15). This is the same standard for anyone in the church. That being said, if there are accusations against the pastor from 2-3 witnesses, then the pastor is to be brought before the church. This is different than what occurs with every other church member. Remember Jesus said:

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“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Matthew 18:15-17

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Elders are held to a higher standard and the consequences are more severe. They are rebuked publicly before the whole church. This is done for discipline, but also to teach the church that sin, regardless of position, has consequences. Elders are not above the law of God. We are called to be like Jesus. We do not abolish the law, but we strive to do our very best to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17).

Father, You have called many of us to be elders in Your church. Thank You for providing for those You call into ministry. You supply our needs, and that by design is done through the church. You hold us to a high standard, and there are severe consequences if we are disobedient to You. I pray that the desire of all of our hearts would be to live lives that do not bring shame to the Name of Your Son.