Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV)
Church leaders are entrusted to manage the affairs of the Church. They minister to us, teaching us the whole counsel of God. They are committed to serve us, offering themselves fully for our spiritual perfection. They gave up their own interests and abandoned their ambitions. In other words, they gave their lives for our sakes because of their love for us. Christ, the Head of the Church, has given them the authority to rule over us. They are not instructed to rule as our “bosses” and definitely not as our lords. They are servants of Christ, as we all are. They are entrusted to care for and feed the flock of God, as Stewards of the Church. Give them double honor if they rule well. If God honors them, who are we to not honor them? Give them the respect due them. We have to love, support, and encourage them to continue leading us to Christ and fulfill the Great Commission. It is written, “Do not muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain. Is it the ox God is concerned about?” Certainly not! God is concern about our spiritual perfection which the Elders, our church leaders, are working on. Moreover, God is concerned about the many souls that need to be saved through the preaching of the Gospel. The best honor we can bestow to them is to obey and to submit ourselves to them.
