Q2. Financial Compensation

[haar]

Q2. (1 Timothy 5:17-18) In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially? What is the Scriptural support for such a practice?

A2.

Elders especially those that preach and teach in the Church should be compensated: a) By being honoured

And  b) by financial compensation to them.

·  The Scriptural support especially for such compensation of Elders is found in the following texts:

"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4).

"The worker deserves his wages" cites Jesus' teaching on preacher compensation in Luke 10:7 and rests on the ground of a number of commands in the Old Testament not to defraud workers, but to pay them promptly for their work (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; James 5:4).

[Niyonka16]

Q2. (1 Timothy 5:17-18) In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially?

ANSWER: Elders are worthy of verbal honor and financial support according to 1 Timothy 5:17-18. It has been the custom of most churches to financially support those elders who serve as full-time pastors. But verses 17-18 teach that all of the elders are worthy of double honor. Therefore, if a church wants to financially support one of them to make it possible for him to devote more time to ministry, that would be biblical.

What is the Scriptural support for such a practice?

ANSWER: According to 1 Timothy 5:4, "this is pleasing in the sight of God." Later verses will point out that Christian believers are particularly obligated to care for their families (1 Timothy 5:8). 1 Timothy 5:17-18 states: Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching. The command is much more straightforward: honor him abundantly and to overflowing.

[Eldress Rowe]

Elders who rule well and labor in word and doctrine should be compensated financially.  They should not rule with force or cruelty, or lord it over God's heritage but govern according to the laws which Christ has give.  They should explain and enforce those laws, show them to the people and see that they are put into practice; and they should discharge this part of their work with diligence and prudence.

Scriptural support for such practice is found in Deuteronomy 25:4, Luke 10:7, I Corinthians 9:9&10. We should not muzzle the mouth of the ox that tread out the corn, for God take care for the oxen, and the laborer is worthy of his wages

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q2. (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially?

Paul said, elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

What is the Scriptural support for such a practice?

Paul mentioned that they are worthy of double honor that means elders are deserving of financial remuneration for their work.

[Diane D.]

Elders should be compensated when they are working hard for the church as they would devote time and effort to any job.

Deuteronomy in particular cites that a worker deserves his wages and they should be paid promptly

[crissy464]

If an elder is a full time worker for the Lord and is solely dependent upon the church as a means of survival then that person should be compensated for their commitment.
        If they work they should be paid

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

We need to honor elders as they labor through preaching and teaching and as such need to b e compensated. The elders who take care of the work of God need to be supported for all the commitment of ensuring that the people of God do not go astray but live according to God's principles.

Paul used the word "double honor" because they do not labor in vain but teach people the Word of God so that they do not get confused by the false teaching that is also prevalent even at this day and age. Elders who fear God preach and teach the true Gospel and deserve to be financially renumerated.

[Clelie]

Elders who carried out well their ministry are to be compensated financially according to 1Timothy 5:18

[Jonathan Edwards]

Those actually preaching and teaching the Word of God.  They study and prayerfully prepare to instruct their congregations.  They just don't do administrative work like some of the local elders.  Deuteronomy 25 is our text to support our position on financial compensation. They indeed receive honor due to their spiritual dignity as shepherds whom the Holy Ghost has set over the flock of Christ.

[Sister Evelyn]

Q2 ( 1 Timothy 5:17-18) In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially?

Faithful pastors and church leaders should be supported and appreciated.

The Scripture (5:17) Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. Preaching is proclaiming the Word of God and confronting listeners with the true Scripture. Teaching is explaining the truth in Scripture helping learners understand difficult passages and helping  them apply God's Word to daily life.

[Old Jerry]

The circumstances in which the elders should be compensated financially would be when they preach the word of God. They should be paid a living wage. There is a lot of Scriptural support for this practice both in the Old Testament and the New.

[hanks]

Q2. (1 TIMOTHY 5:17-18)

In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially? What is the Scriptural support for such a practice?

Any elder that is working full time preaching and teaching the true Word, is due a double honour of respect and financial payment. Often, we take them for granted; we do not think of their needs; we don’t support them financially; and we are quick to subject them to heavy criticism. Instead, faithful church elders should be supported and appreciated – most work hard at teaching and preaching. They should be receiving enough financial support to allow them to live without worry and to provide for the needs of their families. Ever since the Law of Moses, God’s plan has been that His people use part of their crops or herds or income to pay those whose full-time work is serving in His house. But there’s more to it than making sure that the preacher gets a decent allowance, or that the missionaries have adequate support to meet their needs. The issue of honour and respect, which was obviously of great concern to Paul, is very important. Jesus emphasized the importance of this in Luke 10:7, saying that they deserve their wages. Paul echoes this same thought in 1 Cor 9:4-10. We have the responsibility to care for our elders, pastors, preachers, teachers, and other spiritual leaders. It is our duty to see that those who serve us in the ministry are fairly and adequately compensated. They deserve to know that we happily, gratefully, and generously pay them. Appreciating that their work has eternal consequences for us. Many of us have been deeply influenced by the men and women whom God has called into His service, and whose life’s work was the work of Christ.