November 08 2026

Sunday November 8

Honoring Those Who Shepherd God's People

1 Timothy 5:17–18

“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."

Welcome to Pastor's Chat! Have you ever stopped to consider how much responsibility God places upon those He calls to shepherd His people? Over the years, I've discovered that most people see only a small portion of what a pastor actually does. They see him standing behind the pulpit on Sunday morning, preaching God's Word. They may occasionally see him visiting the hospital, conducting a funeral, or performing a wedding. You don’t know how many times I heard someone say to me, “Boy, I wish I had your job, you only have to work a few hours on Sunday.”

But much of a pastor's ministry takes place where nobody sees it. There are the hours of studying God's Word, the burdens carried in prayer, the counseling sessions, the difficult decisions, and sometimes the tears shed over people who are struggling spiritually. Today, as we continue through 1 Timothy 5, Paul addresses how the church should treat those whom God has called to spiritual leadership.

In Verse 17, Paul addresses Honoring Faithful Elders and begins by saying that elders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, particularly those who labor in preaching and teaching. The word "elder" here refers to spiritual leadership in the local church. In the New Testament, the terms elder, overseer, and pastor describe closely related aspects of the shepherding ministry. Notice that Paul emphasizes elders who rule well. Spiritual leadership is not merely holding a position or carrying a title. It involves faithfully caring for God's people, protecting the flock, and setting an example of godliness.

But what does Paul mean by "double honor"? Some have suggested that this means exceptional respect. And certainly faithful pastors deserve the love and respect of their congregations. However, the context of the next verse makes it clear that Paul is also speaking about financial support. The church should not only respect those who faithfully minister God's Word but should also recognize their material needs. Notice something else. Paul particularly mentions those who labor in the Word and doctrine. The word translated "labor" carries the idea of working diligently, even to the point of weariness.

Preparing to preach and teach the Scriptures faithfully requires much more than simply finding something interesting to say. It involves prayer, study, careful interpretation, and a sincere desire to communicate what God has actually said. After more than fifty years in pastoral ministry, I can tell you that the responsibility of preaching God's Word is both a tremendous privilege and a sacred obligation. And by the way, I personally never considered my calling as a pastor as a job or vocation. And I never discussed a salary or benefit package with a pulpit committee, and I always felt I was very blessed and honored by the Lord to have the privilege and opportunity to teach and preach God’s Word and minister to God’s people. I never considered speaking on Sunday as work, because it was the greatest joy and satisfaction I could experience in obeying the Lord and doing His will! I would hope and pray that most pastors feel the same!

In Verse 18, Paul gives us the Biblical basis for supporting God's servants and supports his teaching with two important statements from Scripture. First, he refers to Deuteronomy 25:4, where God commanded that an ox should not be muzzled while treading grain. In ancient times, an ox would walk over harvested grain to separate the kernels from the stalks. God commanded that the animal be permitted to eat while it worked. The principle is simple: Those who labor should be allowed to benefit from their labor. Paul then refers to the principle that a worker deserves his wages, a statement also found in Jesus' teaching in Luke 10:7. What an interesting combination! Paul places a passage from the Law of Moses alongside the teaching of Jesus to establish the responsibility of supporting faithful spiritual workers.

Now, this passage is not an excuse for ministers to become greedy or to use the ministry for personal gain. In fact, throughout these pastoral epistles, Paul repeatedly warns against the love of money. Rather, he teaches that churches should willingly care for those who devote their lives to shepherding God's people.

And there is another important application. Perhaps your pastor has encouraged you, prayed for you, visited you during a difficult time, or helped you understand God's Word. Have you ever taken the time to tell him how much his ministry means to you? Sometimes a simple word of encouragement can strengthen a pastor more than you might imagine. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews 13:17 that spiritual leaders watch over souls as those who must give an account. That's a sobering responsibility.

So today, I want to encourage you to pray for your pastor, support him, encourage him, and thank God for those who faithfully teach His Word. And if you're a pastor listening today, remember that your ultimate reward does not come from human recognition. It comes from the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the faithful men You have called to shepherd Your people. Thank You for those who labor in studying and preaching Your Word, who pray for their congregations, and who faithfully serve even when their sacrifices are unseen. Help our churches to honor, encourage, and support those who lead them spiritually. And Lord, strengthen every pastor who may be weary or discouraged today. Remind him that his labor in the Lord is never in vain. May everything we do bring honor and glory to our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!