Double honor.

1 Timothy 5:17, Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Many people think that the elders or elders who are full-time pastors of a church don’t have a “real job,” when in fact they face challenges from which most would shrink. Having spent some time in lay-pastor ministry, I know what it is like to weep with a young couple over their premature twins who were not viable and would soon die even with the most sophisticate medical technology. And the fights and upsets that arise in a supposedly spiritual setting can be worse than children in kindergarten! Paul speaks of honoring our full-time elders with material income in proportion to our own blessings. And we must honor them and pray for a hedge of protection around them as they proclaim the word of God and face temptations that most of us will never know!

We thank you for our elders and especially those who teach; show us ways to give them double honor as we pray for them! Put a hedge of protection around them in the face of all temptations.

ESV Lectionary