ByMost unbelievers and even some believers belong to the school of thought that pastors are just money extorters. They see them as selfish and greedy people ready to take advantage of the flock God has entrusted to them.
Sometimes, it’s easy to understand why they think that way. They wait for the pastors to ask before they give to them. But let’s look at what the Bible says in Acts 20:35 (boldface mine).
“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.”
From a different angle, it would mean that we are more blessed when we give out of our own intuition than when we are asked for it. You receive the Word from your pastors weekly and get spiritually fed and blessed by his labour. But have you asked yourself how to be a blessing to your pastor? Here is where Galatians 6:6 (NKJV) comes in. It says,
“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”
God’s servants also need to benefit from some of the good things you get in life, especially those in full-time ministry (I mean, pastors who don’t do any extra vocational work). Such servants of God do not earn income outside the church because they only work for the church. Let’s look at some practical ways you can be a blessing to your pastor.
Share all good things with your pastor
Every church is supposed to make their pastors benefit from them, especially the full-time pastors. If a word of prayer from him has led you to be healed of your infirmities or has landed you that job or that promotion, why shouldn’t you honour your pastor, either financially or any form of gift? Should he ask you first? No. One thing most believers do not know is that sowing in the lives of men of God is actually giving to God. Why? Because if God’s servant is well taken care of, God would use that same person to continue blessing your life suppose you keep listening to him. (Besides that, most men of God think about using funds that get into their hands to make things better in their ministries, not even their personal lives).
Since most believers do not know that it is necessary to give to their pastors, they tend to count them as part of the poor in society. And that shouldn’t be so! Divinely called leaders in God’s house who are mindful of God’s work do not even care whether people bless their lives or not. But we must care about their welfare.
Christianity isn’t a fraternity of paupers or people who are always sick-looking and do not enjoy life. Instead, it is the opposite. Christians should be the affluent people in society who have the means to make a change for Kingdom advancement. That is God’s will. And pastors should be more benefactors of God’s blessing upon the congregation.
Being a blessing to your pastor is not always about giving him money. You can pray for your pastor, cook for them (if he’s single and allows it), and help his children academically. If you don’t know, I want to tell you that doing all these things will make him happy.
Pastors also deserve surprises. You can surprise them randomly. Please don’t wait till it is their birthday, Easter or Christmas. Surprise your pastor with gifts, even if he hasn’t told you he needs them. But when you know some of his needs, give specifically to see that need met.
Obey your pastor
Our pastors usually teach us and instruct us in the Word. But what do we find ourselves doing? We sometimes disregard the Word of the Lord from them, and that is devastating for pastors to see. They have to tell us one thing over and over and over, which is wrong. When was the last time your pastor told you to go for evangelism or do something for the church, and you did it with gladness in your heart? Please be honest with yourself. If you obey your pastor, you lighten the ministerial workload on his head.
Remember what is written in Hebrews 13:7 (NKJV):
[17] “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Your pastor is your leader in God’s house. You’ll become a blessing to him and the entire ministry if you submit to his instructions that help move the ministry forward. Be determined to become a person your pastor rejoices about in the ministry anytime he sees you.
