BETH EZRA TEACHING

............................ he that has ears to hear, let him hear................................

Volume Four , Issue 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spring 2000

Double Honor

1Tim.5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Paul's order to Timothy, an apostle discipled by Paul and assigned to leadership over several churches, as is evident from this passage, shows that the saints are to have a special reverence and affection for those whom God has appointed to teach the Word.

In the type of the Old Testament we see that God arranged for eleven tribes to materially support one tribe, while that one tribe-- Levi-- served the other eleven spiritually. The eleven tribes were to farm, manufacture, be shopkeepers, etc. while the one tribe, the tribe set apart from such worldly pursuits (made holy), conducted the spiritual afairs of the nation. Thus the eleven tribes involved in worldly sustenance shared the fruit of their labors with the one tribe that concerned itself purely with the spiritual ministrations of the nation .On the basis of the tithe, we find that in God's economy it takes ten to support one, with the eleventh being for the care of the Tabernacle (or Temple in later years) precincts.

The same principle carries over into the New Testament reality of those OT types. Of course we all are priests unto the Lord, inasmuch as we have a relationship with the Lord worldlings don't. It is the job of believers to present God to nonbelievers and to beseech God for those nonbelievers. In that sense, as Peter declares, we are all priests unto God (1Pet. 2:9). Yet in the type and shadow analogy, there is a lesson to be gleaned from the division between the Levites and the other tribes. Those whom God has set aside for the teaching of the Word and the preaching of the Gospel should, ideally, be supported in their calling by those they serve.

This however, has not always turned out to be the case. Even Paul, chief apostle to the Gentiles, often gave up the privilege and right of being supported by those he brought into the kingdom of God. We find him in Thessalonica working double duty, manufacturing or mending tents by day in the bazaar, and instructing believers by night.

2 Thes. 3:8 Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Now Paul mentioned this, not to take credit for his level of commitment to serving the Lord, but rather to show how important it was that believers provided for themselves and for those who ministered among them in Christ's name. He courageously provided for his own necessities and still pressed on to serve the cause of the Gospel at his own expense-- an almost unheard of thing in his day-- and ours.

Furthermore, Paul could not tolerate the thought that the Gospel might be disparaged because of perceived money-grubbing on his part. 2 Cor. 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4a But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.... The world operates on the basis of money. Money is what worldlings respect, desire and live for. When the believers of Jesus Christ are given to pleading, begging, promising blessings in exchange for, threatening, utilizing guilt trips or using wealth to validate themselves, the world sees that such are no different from themselves. The followers of Jesus Christ are to be living by a higher standard than the spirit of filthy mammon. Our currency is to be love and truth by the Spirit of God. The world is obsessed with the visible power money brings, the Church should be obsessed with the invisible power love and truth bring through Jesus Christ. The business of the Church should be the Gospel and not: bake sales, pledge drives, charity bazaars, gold-dust dandruff, dramatic productions, big name speakers/entertainers/singers and the like. Any church involved in such activities is entangled in the same spirit as the world. Paul avoided all such contamination.

2 Tim. 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Paul gives three short type and shadow lessons, making his points through illustration. He uses a soldier, an athelete and a farmer, wrapping the three analogies up with an exhortation to consider their spiritual ramifications. Briefly, a soldier has no life of his own, but has offered his very life and limb to the protect the interests of his master.Therefore a soldier has no stock portfolio, real estate ventures or thriving businesses because these would distract him from his sworn duties. It therefore behooves his master to take care of his physical needs such as food and clothing, shelter and training.... Any soldier who has to provide for himself ought to ask some penetrating questions, such as: 'How worthy is my master whom I am serving at the peril of my life if he does not provide my needs?' Now, in spite of Paul's example, the point is that those who are called to serve the Lord Jesus in the fivefold ministry are soldiers who are to wholly occupy themselves by waging holy warfare against unseen, spiritual foes. Just as soldiers in the natural cannot spend their time accumulating this world's goods, provide their own immediate food and clothing needs, AND keep pressure on the enemy, members of the five-fold ministry ought not have to wear 'two coats' Mt.10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

A coat in New Testament times was associated with one's position or occupation, thus we elsewhere find Jesus commenting on the Pharisees who wear long garments to show their piety. The Christian 'soldier' is to wear only one coat, the armor of his Lord, and not also the garb of a tradesman, farmer or businessman. Serving in two capacities is akin to serving two masters, which will eventually bring the soldier/worker into a situation where a choice for one or the other must be made. He will cling to one calling, and find himself despising the other. A soldier's choices must be very clear. He must not be entangled in the affairs of this world lest the people he is 'hired' to safeguard will suffer. The people of God must not allow their spiritual servants to be caught between two loyalties, but need to make sure they are providing for their minister's needs. The alternative is to force the man called of God into providing for his own life and family at the expense of spiritual service. So many pastors need a second job just to make ends meet, that the study and prayer time necessary for them to stay close to the Lord suffers, and so does their service. Invariably, so does the spiritual life of those they serve. An exhausted soldier cannot be a good defender, nor will he likely have the ambition to lead an assault into enemy territory. A man who spends his days making bricks for the Pharoahs of the modern world does not also feel like feeding the sheep at the week's end.

The second metaphor Paul uses is that of an athelete. There are many applications that could be made here. Suffice it to say that this is mostly an encouragement to those serving in the ministry who, like an athelete, will be disqualified if they break the rules of the games. Ministers are to remain obedient to the traditions and methods taught by the apostles to the Church, lest they too be disqualified.

The third point brings us back to the matter of finances, demonstrating a farmer who makes his living from the soil by planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing, cultivating, and harvesting crops. Does the farmer not have a right-- indeed, a need-- to eat of the food he has produced? So too, with those who do spiritual farming. If people prosper spiritually due to the attention and care of the husbandman, should not those prospered attend to the needs of the caretaker? There are other scriptures that relate to these points, indicating the Lord's serious concern as to how we treat His servants (see:1Cor. 9:9-10).

The Body of Christ must take care of those who serve them. This is the Lord's way. He established the pattern to be followed in the OT with the Levitical tribe receiving the tenth of the other eleven tribes produce. Yet the way many ministries are paid today reflects a cavalier attitude toward those who have heard and obeyed the call to forsake the fat salaries they could be earning if they were making Pharoah's bricks. Missionaries overseas often live on a pittance, barely subsisting at poverty level. And the same can be said of many Christian workers in the States as well.

All too often monies are sent to pseudo-spiritual mega-ministries that squander their income building universities or TV ministies, or some relief project or hospital to the founder's glory, not the Lord's. That is not to say there aren't many worthy ministries doing very good things in the Lord's name, yet these are not where our basic tithe ought to go, but rather our gifts and offerings that are above tithes. Only giving above the tithe is sacrificial and well pleasing to the Lord, providing that He is the instigator of such an action in the first place. However, if the Lord has not initiated the gift, it is merely a religious (and vain) exercise. Saints need to grow in understanding how the Lord has ministered to them, and how He wants them to minister back to the needs of His servants, and not defer tithing under the false banner of 'legalism'.

If the church were re-established back upon the foundation of the New Testament authority, such scripturally invalid expenses such as building funds, car allowances, benefits, salaries (yes, believe it or not, in spite of what has been said above, salaries are not part of the NT method for supplying pastors and other workers) heating expenses, etc., churches would never be in debt, and ministers would not need to moonlight to stay solvent. It would take but ten or eleven families faithfully tithing to support one pastor's family. Eleven families each giving their tenth equals the average of the other families incomes so that the pastor is neither the highest paid, nor the lowest. When a church grows to have twenty or more families, the work load of the pastor also is increased so that a second elder will likely be appointed by the Lord to share the spiritual burden from among the mature faithful, to be supplied in return by the faithfulness of the saints. In this manner, a church of thirty-some families could support up to 3 full time elders, and so forth.

This in no way precludes elders who are called to be tradesmen or businessmen from continuing their line of work and at the same time supplying the saints with spiritual instruction and gifts as the Lord has directed them. But it makes the way clear for those whom the Lord calls to full time ministry to do so. Nevertheless, it is still a walk of faith. Many salaried pastors of denominational-type churches do not trust God for their provision, but rather, wrangles it from the board. The pastor who forgoes his rights to a salary and benefits, making no mention of his needs, trusting the Lord to lay his needs upon the hearts of those he serves, is closer to walking in dependence upon the Lord and not man.

This method of providing for spiritual workers weeds out the hirelings from those who truly want to serve God. Being a denominational-type pastor is a nice, clean job in our day. There are benefits, housing and car allowances, respect and recognition, in addition to competitive salaries, IRA's and juicy retirements given to pastors who will preach and teach American Christianity without rocking the boat. Such men are hirelings, serving a church only for their salary and benefits. Take away or reduce their salary and benefits and they won't perform! They go shopping for a new church that will 'better fill their needs'. Furthermore, such men will run when true persecution comes. Jn.10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Any flock tended by such hirelings will be ravaged in the dark days to come. Those false shepherds who tend the flocks are only looking out for their own well being, not the spiritual well being and safety of their charges. This becomes evident by whether or not they demand certain salaries and benefits. This goes for itinerant speakers as well. Do they bring their message because they have a word which God laid on their hearts, or do they speak because it is their 'job'-- the way they make their living. Certain Christian speakers and musical ministries (now there is a curious insertion into the five-fold ministry) require 'mass amounts' of money before they will agree to speak or perform. How does this differ from worldly speakers and entertainers?

In the OT we have an example of how the priesthood (New Testament type of the 5-fold ministry) corrupted the Lord's method of how they were to be provided for the work they did in the Lord's name.

1Sam. 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

13 And the priests custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

In Leviticus 7 we find the Lord's instructions as to how the priests were to gather from the offerings and sacrifices their own supply of food.

7: 22 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.

24 And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it.

25 For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people... 29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the Lord, shall bring his oblation unto the Lord of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.

30 His own hands shall bring the offerings of the Lord made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord.

31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aarons and his sons.

32 And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.

33 He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.

34 For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever, from among the children of Israel...

37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;

38 Which the Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai.

The priests were allowed to take only the shoulder and the thigh from the sin and peace offerings made by Israelties in atonement for their sin so as to be restored to God's good graces. The Lord made a particular point of telling Moses that the fat belonged to Him-- no one, including priests, were to eat the fat of these offerings. Eli's wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were not satisfied with what the lord said their portion was to be. Besides, as we Americans well know, meat cooked with the fat is tastier. Hophni and Phinehas sent their servant to take choice portions from the pot, not just shoulder and thigh. They even went so far as to forcibly take a man's sacrifice before the fat was offered to the Lord as prescribed, over the protestations of the worshipper. They wanted what they wanted when they wanted it! Many worshippers left Shiloh (where the Tabernacle resided) feeling that their petition for forgiveness had not been properly presented, and that they were still unclean. The people Hophni and Phinehas ministered unto were not presented faithfully to the Lord, nor was the Lord accurately presented to them. No wonder that men abhorred the worship of the Lord.

The type and shadow of Eli's sons demanding their 'choice pieces from the pot, and meat with the 'fat' is akin to modern ministers demanding salaries, benefits and honorariums. For a pastor to demand a set salary and benefits in order for him to serve shows his primary interest is his own prosperity, not that of the Lord's people. The church served ought to consider how they can meet their shepherd's needs, but at the same time, that shepherd ought only consider whether he is being faithful to the Lord, and not his payment. It ought to be the shepherd's will to preach and teach for nothing if need be, as Paul left us his example, rather than resorting to manipulating or begging for money. If the call of God is on a man, he cannot help but preach to any who will listen, whether they supply his needs or not..There is an intense burning in the heart and bones of God's man that is not quenched by lack of financial support, even if he has to supply his own needs to continue on in the ministry.

Mt.10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

1Co.2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

In light of the above passages, it is shameful for God's servants to insist on any set amount of remuneration before they will use their God-given gifts to edifiy God's people. Such men have little or no faith in the God who promises to supply all their needs according to His riches in glory. How can men who demonstrate little or no faith be examples of living by faith? It is also shameful for those claiming to be ministers of the Gospel to preach on tithing and giving when they make themselves the beneficiaries of such messages. It is despicable to accept, let alone seek, money from nonbelievers to enter the Church's treasury to do the work of the Lord. Yet week after week the collection plate is passed and peer pressure utilized to make believers and unbelievers alike cough up money to support programs that hinder the working of the Holy Spirit, build buildings that drain funds, and pad salaries of overpaid hirelings. And we wonder why the Church has ceased to be an influence for godliness in the world!

To sum up, each member of a church ought to prayerfully examine their own heart before God to see if they are 'doubly honoring' their spiritual workers-- both in high regard and financial support-- so they may give a good account of the church they serve. By the way, no true servant of Jesus would belabor his needs before people, but would by faith, take them only to the Lord. In fact, such loyal servants would in all likelihood let on that they have no needs, that they not be accused in any way of money-grubbing.

As for those loyal servants, it is their heart's desire to see God's people grow closer to Him, and will flow to meet that need whenever and wherever God makes opportunity, without a thought to what they are getting out of it.

The Beth Ezra Teachings are a desktop publication sent free to any who ask to be put on our mailing list. The BET's are dedicated to rebuilding the Church upon the principles of Scripture, calling all believers to return to Original Christianity, as given to the apostles and prophets in the pages of the New Testament.

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For those wishing to obtain back issues of the BET's, there is a web page maintained at the following site: www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/9793/ along with some other articles on prophecy and some short stories for downloading. Replies can be made by e-mail to skyeman7@juno.com