It’s Sunday Morning. Here’s a little motivation for preachers before you enter your pulpit from the Word of God.
1 Timothy 5:17-19 states
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
Note in verse 17 that Paul’s intention in writing this is so that those who serve in the church as Elders/Pastors to “work hard at preaching and teaching.” Verse 18 tips us that he’s going to give us the reasons for this with the use of the word “for” which shows the motivation. I want to look at one of the motivation for this Sunday and Lord willing another next Sunday.
Notice Paul quotes from the New Testament as Scripture in verse 18. Specifically he quotes from the Gospel of Luke: “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Brothers, are you a laborer that is worthy of his wage?
Now I know we’re never “good enough.” But we should strive to be worthy of our calling.
Yet I don’t want this to be an appeal to works righteousness only (people often misunderstand grace as the lack of imperatives; it is not biblical). When you think long and hard, truly we are not worthy of ministry left on our own; we deserve Hell actually for all our sins.
And yet God redeemed you. And God has called you to be a servant of the Most High. It is privilege.
Think about how much has been poured into you. Yet in His grace He still overflows by giving you a wage for living. Let that meditation on His saving special grace through Christ and also His common grace on top saving grace move you and motivate you. Go and preach it your all this Sunday.
Likewise, we that sit in the pews need to pray for and encourage our pastors!!!
Amen! I know I as a minister am very encouraged when I know the congregation prays for me. A big Amen Tom!
Very nice. I would say that applies to us who don’t preach, but teach as well. Good encouragement and warning.
Very true. I plan to roll out a few more of these kind of posts for the next few Sundays and I’m going to modify future posts as Motivation for Preachers and Teachers. Thanks!
I wasn’t actually making a suggestion lol just an observation! You talk to whoever God tells you to talk too! And good morning
[…] Sunday Morning Motivation for Preachers and Teachers: Be Worthy of Your Wages! […]
This fired me up! Appropriate reading on Sunday!