Morning Moments

1 Timothy 5:18 (KJV)
1Ti 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.


A SIMPLE ANALOGY

The apostle deals with two very important principles in the verse: 1) the principles of the church's responsibility and 2) the principle of the pastor's reward.

The ox works and receives reward for his work - that is the analogy, and one doesn't put a muzzle on the ox treading the corn. Pretty clear and simple.

A long time friend and I were on a trip together. At the time I was grossing $16,000. In the course of conversation he made the statement that he thought I was making too much. I asked, "How did you arrive at your thinking?" He said, "Well, I think you ought to be paid the average income of the church member." "Okay," I said, "let's go with that thought and see where it leads us. He agreed. I had several wealthy men in the church. One owned a conglomerate of radio stations (he was a millionaire). Another owned a very successful brick company (a wealthy man), another owned a very prosperous automobile dealership, and there were others who certainly did not think as this man thought, so I continued with a few questions -

1. "How many employees are you responsible for?" I asked. "None", he answered, "I am a salesman for the company (family owned fertilizer company). I continued, "I am responsible for over 500 (church members).

2. "How long have you been doing your job?" He replied, "two years". I said, "I have pastored for over 10 years" (this was over 30 years ago).

3. "Do you participate in a company insurance plan and retirement plan?" "Yes" he replied. "I receive no such benefits" I said, "I am responsible for mine own out of the gross income of $16,000."

4. "By the way, what is your educational level?" I continued. He replied, "Well, I attended a couple of years of college." My response was, "I have a masters degree and am currently working on my doctorate (at my expense)."

5. "What about your children, I know they attend a private school, but I cannot afford such a luxury."

6. "By the way" I continued, "You own five antique cars and just added 1800 square feet to your home, built a tennis court, and a swimming pool. You know, my friend, maybe your idea is not so bad after all." He is still my friend:)

Sometimes we need to help people clear their thinking. My friend was guilty of stinking thinking and GREED. ANYTIME ANYONE wants less for you than they want for themselves they are guilty of GREED! God's love in us wants the best for the other person according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13.

One more illustration: I was a student pastor, in school full time, with a wife that was pregnant with our first child, so this was over 40 years ago. In the church was a man who lived in a three story mansion. My wife and I had been blessed with renting a wonderful old country house between the church and the school for $55 a month including utilities. It was wonderful and we had lots of friendly field mice to keep us company. The lady who owned the house was a wisdom who took us in like her own kids. God has always taken good care of us. PTL

On the church grounds was a concrete block house that might have been 800 square feet, on a concrete slab with a concrete floor. It had been a storage house. This guy wanted us to move to that house and I said "NO!" I assured him that we could save money on gas and be closer to the church, but that I had come to school and that was my first priority at that time. He accused me of being proud. I said (I know I am a smart Alec), "I tell you what. You and your family move there and my wife and baby to come will move into your house." I never heard anymore about that.

Folks, get a grip! Do you not understand that Jesus said, "As you have done it unto one of the least...you have done it unto me." That kind of stinking thinking has been the very cause of preachers seeking to "attain and acquire" rather than be "accepting and appreciative." I am grateful to God and the people of God who have shared with us and often sacrificed for us and who through the years have taken good care of us, but I have NO patience with the greedy who want you to live in poverty while they live in prosperity. My prayer has been the prayer of David, "LORD, make me not poor that I steel, and not rich that I forget you."

Hmmm! Interesting lesson today, Father.

BLESSINGS!