DCLM Daily Manna Friday 15 March 2024
TOPIC: Double Honour
TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 5:17-25
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
KEY VERSE
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine”
(1 TIMOTHY 5:17).
DCLM Daily Manna 15 March 2024 MESSAGE
The corporate industries especially the blue chips understand the power of appropriate remuneration for workers. Labour unions fight for wage increase regularly to ensure that their members earn living wages that make them happy. Workers are highly motivated and perform more when they are well- remunerated. Salaries, wages, bonuses, commissions, fringe benefits, promotions and awards denote various reward levels in the labour field.
The culture of remuneration in kind is brought into Apostle Paul’s instruction to Timothy in today’s passage. He said that church leaders who perform well are worthy of double honour. In saying this, Paul was not merely expressing his opinion but a principle of Christ that the labourer deserves his wages (Luke 10:7).
READ DCLM Daily Manna Thursday 14 March 2024 – Miraculous Provision
The double honour for excelling workers can be in the form of commendation, respect, financial support, promotion and higher responsibility. Part of the double honour for excelling leaders is that frivolous, unsubstantiated allegations must not be entertained against them. This does not exonerate them from being investigated and disciplined if they sin. However, church members should esteem such leaders highly and provoke them to do more.
Conferment of double honour on deserving workers, if not well managed, can give room for preferential treatment and become counterproductive. To avoid such, the apostle warns against partiality or treating some people without serious rebuke and discipline when they sin. All who deserve open rebuke should not be spared, whether workers or members. There should be a balance between double honour for excellence and open rebuke for infractions in the church.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
No one can receive honour who never gave one.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 31-32
