1 Timothy 5:17-19 – “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.” 

If you consider the context of this passage, you will realize that it is not talking about “words of praise” for the pastor or elder of the congregation.  It is talking about Pay!  That is right, I said it: Pay!  I am not pastoring a congregation, so I can say this without any concern that anyone would think I am trying to gain something for myself; I am not. 

However, I would have no fear of saying it if I were a lead pastor in a church because it is truth, and I do not fear truth.  That being said, I would refuse to allow money to be the deciding factor in anything I did spiritually, and I have proven that in the past, as others can testify.

Paul taught Timothy to instruct churches, ministers, or leaders in the proper execution of their duties and responsibilities.  He was setting in order churches throughout the region, and this instruction was valuable. 

Paul told his son in the faith that an elder who “rules well,” those committed to and working hard at rightly dividing the word of truth ‘teaching and preaching.’  The phrase “rules well” does not mean to lord it over people but to care for the flock with the heart of a true shepherd. 

The ministry is not designed to be a hierarchy but a serving position. The particular passage that Paul quotes is from Deuteronomy 25:4, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” That is an emphatic emphasis that by God’s direction, the ox that is laboring should also be able to eat the fruit or grain upon which he is laboring.  

He also referenced the Lord Jesus’ statement in Luke 10:7, “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages.”  There is no question that Paul was teaching that the pastor who performs his duties well is worthy of Double Pay!

Before you lose your religion, I am not telling you that this is something that the man of God should demand. Rather it is something the congregation should desire for him.  Most men of God would refuse to take that amount, but if they choose to accept it, there would be nothing wrong with it. 

I have a problem when a man of the cloth makes Mammon (money) his objective rather than the Gospel.  I have always believed that God would take care of my needs. I believe that I can take my petition to Him. I believe He will move on whatever hearts need to be moved upon to provide for me and my family, supernaturally raining it down out of heaven if necessary. 

I remember one occasion when I had a $500 need.  I had a debt due in a few days; it was $500, and I had $55.00 in the bank.  I was praying about the need and heard the whisper in my spirit saying, “Pay tithes on your need.”  I thought that I must be hallucinating because surely God would not be telling me to do something so outlandish.  However, the more I prayed, the more convinced I was that the Holy Spirit was directing my heart. 

On Wednesday evening, I wrote a check for $50.00 and put it in the offering, rejoicing! I knew that there would be no more money until Sunday, when I got paid again.  We never knew what that would be, but it had never been $500.00 and would not likely be that on that Sunday. 

I had to go into town the following day and had an individual walk up to me on the street, hand me something, and say, “God spoke to my heart to give you this,” then they turned and walked away.  I resisted looking at it immediately and waited until I had settled in my car. Then I opened the check, and it was for $550.00.  God had supplied my needs and given me back my $50.00 additionally. 

Church leaders have chastised me for not letting them know my actual needs.  They would, at times, with tears in their eyes, tell me that they wanted to take care of my family and needs.  I have had churches that took care of us royally, and I have been in situations when I was told that I would toe the line (which I could never do) or they would do to me what they had done to others and “starve me out.”  

My response then and now was, “God is my source, and He will take care of me.”  I never let money determine what I preached or how I treated people.  That being said, I believe churches that honor their pastors receive special blessings from God, and those that do not find leanness in their souls.

If you are an “ox muzzler’ stop and open your heart as God directs you to open your pocketbook. Greedy preachers and stingy congregations are not God’s desire! He wants preachers with servant’s hearts and churches with a spirit of generosity IN ALL THINGS!  God loves a cheerful giver, and it is impossible to outgive God!

May God be with you as you go through your day!