The Apostle Peter, who was sent to the Jews, gave this advice to the Jewish elders: I Peter 5:1-2 "The elders which are among you I exhort who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over Gods heritage, but being ensamples of the flock." This is in direct harmony with the advice the Apostle Paul gave to the Gentile elders. Acts 20:17: "And from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." Acts 20:27-35: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of this grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no mans silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, these (my) hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." The life of a true Elder, Preacher, or Pastor is a life of sacrifice, with its many labors, toils, and heartaches.

The Bible most surely teaches, that it is the duty and obligation of the church to support her pastor in a reasonable way, but the individual church is not under obligation to support financially all other preachers. Paul warned the church of the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 3:6-15: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition (custom) which he (the Elder) received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any mans bread for naught; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you . Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own brad. But ye, brethren, be not wear6y in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note (mark) that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish (rebuke) him as a brother."

The New Testament does not contain an example of a salaried ministry. Bit where the pastor labors in the right way, for, and in behalf of the church, he will be cared for in a reasonable way, for the laborers are worthy of their hire, or care. Paul said to Timothy, Timothy 5:17-18: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scriptures saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, and the labourer is worthy of this reward." To be counted worthy of double honor, means, they should be cared for in a much better way than those who are not so laboring. Most of the trouble in and among the churches is caused by the slothfulness and unfaithfulness of the elders, or pastors, who do not obey, practice, and teach the principles of the bible. Paul strictly charged Timothy in I timothy 5:19: "Against an elder receive not an accusation; but before two or three witnesses." This means, for ay one to hear some one tell an accusation against an elder, they must have present two or three witnesses. Why? Because the person telling it must not make it any larger or smaller than it really is. Then if you tell the same, and the person who told it to you, denies it, you have witnesses to prove that he did tell it. Paul was not addressing the church as a body, but Timothy, a preacher. This is left on record for all today, and where it is obeyed, this will stop much of the malign gossip, which is the way those who are envious and jealous try to take vengeance on their brother. An elder or pastor who keeps good company and uses clean speech certainly will avoid many hurtful things and save himself from much undue criticism. The elder or pastor must live a clean moral life and be honest in word and deed in order to be an ensample to the flock. He will be respected and loved by the church and he will have the respect of the entire community.

The Lord said, "Where much is given, much is required." The elder is given a more excellent gift than the laity, and is responsible for his moral conduct, and the way and manner he lives, preaches, and teaches. The Holy Spirit is calling men to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to labor in and for the welfare of the church. The church is able to discern and recognize these gifts. None other than the church has the authority to have them ordained, or set apart to this work. They are yet responsible to heir home church as to their honesty, morality, conduct, and behaviour, and are subject to the discipline of the church as any other member.

In the last few years, some men have conceived the idea that the Holy Spirit leads and directs men to subscribe to various doctrines, practices, and disciplines. They want to be on the go all the time and it does not matter where or to whom. Preaching is teaching, and if preachers do not call the church that is in error to repent, they are not following the Apostles. If a church be in error, either in doctrine, practice, or discipline, and a preacher encourages and supports them in it, he is their worst enemy. The preacher, who is faithful to teach, rebuke, warn, and reprove them, is their best friend, but he is often not appreciated nor loved, because the truth is not wanted by the rebellious and disobedient. No church that is in the light of the truth, will object to men going if they preach the full truth as they go and stand for the principles of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Matthew 28:12-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, (Gentiles as well as Jews) baptizing them in the name of the Father, (who redeemed them) and of the Holy Ghost, (Who quickened them) Teaching them to observe (obey) all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Surely, none would say that the Holy Spirit is calling men to teach something contrary to what our lord commanded…Men who preach and teach that the church has no authority to discipline her members, even an elder, are not ensamples to the flock. They are teaching rebellion, and it will surely lead to trouble for themselves and for the churches. Men who are called by the Holy Ghost are under the most solemn duty and obligations, and the first and foremost thing is their hearts should be to obey their Lord. If so, they will be humble and obedient, and will not resent the discipline and authority of the church. The Holy Scriptures contain all that the church should practice and believe while in her militant state on earth. The elder or pastor should study the scriptures very prayerfully and learn the lessons taught therein. They must take notice as to who did the writing, and to whom it is addressed, and what is the lesson under consideration, or they will not be able to properly apply the sacred scriptures. It is no less wrong to misapply the scriptures than to misquote them. The elder or pastor who is honest, will be very careful to teach the truth of the Word of God. To use the word of God deceitfully is a willful sin. Paul said in I Timothy 5:20-22: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe (obey) these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens sins: keep thy self pure." (Or free from such). If an elder has a fleshly zeal and is encouraged by some church, they both will become very lax in government and discipline. This will lead to sorrow and distress, for the elder and also the church. By the elder being careful to watch and pray, he will have enough burdens without adding to them.  C. M. Mills The Pathway of Truth, April 1976