Sometimes, God sends us to serve in places outside of our comfort zones. At those times we may be obliged to depend on others to support us. More so, when we operate in the way Y’shua’s disciples and the 72 did when they were sent. Our task, we realize, is not only about sharing God’s peace, but also about trusting God to provide for us through others. In those instances, we must also recognize that compensation should be proportionate to the work that is done. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Luke 10:7 CEVDCI
[7] Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they give you, because workers are worth what they earn. Don’t move around from house to house.
Worth our Earnings
Before reflecting on compensation for God’s harvesters, I wish to draw our attention to staying with one family. In one sense, it is a matter of being hosted in someone’s house. This could be the hospitality offered to strangers (as in Judges 19). It may be even more basic, like Mary and Joseph’s accommodation during tax season in Luke 2. Staying with the same family suggests that we accept the security of provision that is offered. But for me, it doesn’t fully explain fair worker’s wages.
We recall however, that a family also also refers to the household of faith, i.e., the ‘church’. Thus, we think of the house churches such as: Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, and Thessaloniki in the post-Pentecost era. It is feasible that the 72 were precursors to house churches evangelism. If so, staying with one family meant economic security for the duration of mission. It would be similar to how ministers and pastors are paid in our time.
Self-Check
How willing are we to be dependent on others for our wages in ministry contexts? How would we ensure that our needs are met?
Digging Deeper
It is hard to say whether Y’shua would give the same order today or not, as times and circumstances have changed significantly. Yet, for us full-time ordained ministers, we are dependent on the ‘wages’ offered by the household of faith. Globally, there has been a sharp decline in church membership. This makes it even more essential for ministers to ‘stay with only one family’ at a time. Unfortunately, there is no singular approach to paying ministers. In some contexts, taking care of a minister’s needs is top priority. Others seem to think that paying ministers living wages is God’s problem and not our responsibility.
As ones sent by God to serve, in formal settings or otherwise, Y’shua indicates we are to be compensated by those who receive us. While I don’t think we should go from city to city insisting on being paid before work begins, I agree with Y’shua – we ought to be compensated in formal spaces of ministry. And it should be a fair wage. In turn, we must ensure that we are faithful in our labour for Y’shua’s glory.
Siblings, this call is not only for ordained ministers. Each of us has a responsibility to share the Gospel of Christ with the world. Each of us must be carriers of God’s peace, especially in these fractured times. As we share the Gospel message, I pray that we receive compensation in full.
Point to Ponder
Knowing that God’s labourers we are to be offered an honest wage, how do we ensure that full-time ministers are duly compensated?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
