There are Those Who are Worthy of More

As a Christian, I am no different than others that are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I receive the same salvation and love and care and protection from God as all of my brothers and sisters.

“¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” – 1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

There are brothers and sisters in Christ that are worthy of more. I think of the pastors of the church and the work that they do, not only for Christ, but also for the church and all of the congregation. By worldly business standards they are are the CEO of the church. And, somehow they are not compensated as such. Most pastors I know live very conservatively with a less than robust salary and yet they are content and find themselves doing quite well.

Even in the commentary of my ESV Bible, it states, “Paul does not actually require that pastors be paid a double amount, but Paul clearly indicates that pastors should receive generous remuneration.” I take this to mean that it may not be in salary that pastors are granted double, it could be in a host of other ways that they are compensated. Gifts, time, covering of obligations (paying bills), and other ways of providing for them are absolutely warranted and in line with the role they fill and all that they take on in the name of Christ and in service of Him and the church.

I want to be clear in saying that elders/pastors are greater than I am in the eyes of God, it is only that the role they have in this world is one of greater visibility and that should be taken into account as we think about worthiness. So my title, “There are Those Who are Worthy of More” is not wrong. It is important to understand the meaning and reason for the more they are worthy of and just what it is they would be receiving and why. No one is greater in the eyes of God. There are those that have a greater visible responsibility, and that must be considered in this world.

What is the worthiness of all in your life as relates to your spirituality? Are you even cognizant of those that have the impact in the greatest number? What if we looked at others and their role in this world and counted them worthy based on that worldly role, yet knowing that they are no greater than the rest of us in the kingdom of God?