From the recording 77 Lessons of Life #56-66
Lyrics
Lesson 62 of 77
Compensation For Divine Ministry
{See Lessons 19, 54, 60, 69}
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Those who labor well in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are significant to those they serve. True Ministers of Christ should know their worth as oracles of God and the value of their spiritual, supernatural and natural ministries. According to Old and New Testament scriptures, those who labor well in the ministry of Divine Iconoclasm should receive just compensation for their services. Apostle Paul writes,
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are ye my work in the Lord?
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Say I these things as a man? Or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith HE it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
[I Cor 9:1-14]
All who behold the good works of Yahweh’s servants, should also recognize their value and positive impact of their good work in their communities. The Lord Jesus said,
Ye are the light of the world. A city that it set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
[Mt 5:14-16]
Followers of Christ are admonished to financially support Christian ministries as needed, especially when they are proving worthy of such honor. Apostle Paul writes,
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
[I Tim 5:17, 18]
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
[II Tim 2:6]
The financial support of worthy ministers and ministries enables them to remain steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in their work for THE LORD, which all brethren of Christ are admonished to do. Apostle Paul writes,
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in THE LORD.
[I Cor 15:58]
While there are Christian ministers who prefer self-sufficiency, others do require a fee for their services, which per Apostle Paul, is just to charge as long as the fees are based on need and not greed.
It is false prophets who seek opportunity to make merchandise of Yahweh’s flock, especially with teachings that encourage pacification of carnal desires, rather than spiritual wellness and preservation of one’s eternal inheritance in Christ. King Solomon writes,
I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early <or diligently> shall find Me.
Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and My revenue than choice silver.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
[Pro 8:17-21]
Apostle Paul writes,
Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, WHO hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
[Eph 1:3]
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
[II Pet 2:1-3]
The Lord Jesus said,
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
And where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and HIS Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
[Mt 6:19-21, 24, 32, 33, 34]
Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
[Lk 12:15]
Those who teach a specific quality of divine doctrine are deserving of the monetary support Yahweh’s inspires to be sown into their lives. The Lord Jesus said,
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[Mt 5:19]
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