HONOR AND LABOR. 1st Timothy 5:17-18. Discipline is essential for leading God's people in the right ways of the Lord. Our motives must align with our service. Leaders should be above reproach and morally and spiritually faithful. Paul addressed these same brethren in Acts 20 regarding who they were, the work they were to do, and the people they were to care for. These same men are referred to here as elders in the assembly who are to "rule well."
Home life and assembly life are very similar in terms of leadership. Those qualified to lead are easy to recognize. Their leadership is deliberate and intentional. They take seriously the privilege God has given them to guide the saints through their preaching and teaching. Preaching involves publicly proclaiming God's Word and confronting listeners with the truth of the Scriptures. Teaching involves explaining what the Scriptures mean and helping God's people understand them within their original context. The teacher also helps them apply these truths to everyday life. Those who do this deserve more than just basic courtesy.
One elder is there to assist when needed, and his interest and care are above reproach. Another responds to needs similarly but goes further than most because he perceives a greater need. He takes the necessary time to prepare and works diligently in privacy to share the truth of God. To preach the word is a proclamation that confronts listeners with a choice—to heed the message and respond to the urgency of the preacher’s exhortations. His message aims to change the direction of some learners' lives, influencing them and, through them, others. Therefore, we are called to give double honor in supporting our brothers who preach the Gospel and teach believers the ways of the Lord.
Another elder spends a lot of time learning how to explain a difficult passage so he can pass his understanding to the saints when the right moment comes in a message he delivers. The Lord’s people will recognize his effort in studying the word to help them learn the truth, even at his own expense. I wonder how long it took Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to write what the Holy Spirit shared with them on the pages of scripture. Luke probably wrote a lot while he was in prison, accompanying Paul. Today, we are greatly blessed by what he recorded back then for all of us.
It is only right that we honor such men by supporting them. The effort they put into their words and doctrine as they seek ways to share the truth that benefits us should be acknowledged in any way we can. This might be by giving honor where it's due or by meeting needs they might have. Through the efforts they make for the Lord, we receive blessings from them. The reward such a person receives from us is not something he demands. To those of us who know and observe him and are blessed, God gives this command – give him double honor and ensure he has a reward. In this way, we can meet his needs practically and show our gratitude and fellowship to one who has given us the word of the Lord.
When an elder performs his responsibilities commendably, he is considered "worthy of double honor." Double honor involves respecting them both for who they are personally and for the work they do for us. We should not take them for granted, nor should we ignore them. The way we treat them should be with appreciation and support. "Counted worthy" relates to how we think of them, and "honor" describes our response to their labor for the Lord. Criticism is quite common when a preacher or teacher says things that convict us and make us uncomfortable. They are neither perfect people nor exempt from making mistakes or failures.
Those who serve the Lord by helping the saints should not have to suffer due to a lack of material needs when they sacrifice their time, effort, and finances to benefit others. Often, working diligently in the Lord's service takes a toll on faithful servants physically and mentally as they prepare for and lead meetings. We need to consider the time and effort put into preparing before preaching and teaching. Such work involves the whole person - body, soul, and spirit. Those who serve well deserve respect and appreciation.