Caring for your spiritual leaders is another step in building up the body of Christ. How is the Lord calling you today to care for your spiritual leaders? How can caring for them make a difference in their lives and those they serve?
Early in the Old Testament, the Lord established the value of caring for spiritual leaders because He knew the value of shepherds watching over the people. To care for the priests and the Levites the Lord called the people to bring a tithe of all their crops, their flocks, and herds to the Levites. Many of these offerings were used as sacrifices and what was left could be eaten. From this tithe all the Levites and the priests were properly taken care of.
Accountability Restores Support for Israel’s Spiritual Leaders
Nehemiah was only on a leave of absence from his position in Persia and had to return to the King. After Nehemiah went back to Babylon the people soon slipped into sinful habits. They knew they were to support the priests, but with no accountability, this ended. When Nehemiah returned this lack of support for the priests was quickly corrected.
Nehemiah 13:10 I (Nehemiah) also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions of food, so they and the singers who were to conduct the worship services had all returned to work their fields. 11 I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties. 12 And once more all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms. [1]
What Are Ways We Can Care for Our Pastors Today?
Your pastor is in a spiritual battle as he or she cares for and intercedes for you. One day they will have to report to God what they did with the souls that were entrusted to them. With that thought, I believe these are the most important things we can do for our spiritual leaders.
- Pray for them: The spiritual battle for your spiritual leader is ongoing. Ministry can be discouraging, but your prayers can be the greatest encouragement your pastor receives. Never underestimate the power of your prayers.
- Encouragement: Just as the pastor encourages you, they also need the same. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. [2]
- Financial Support: 1 Corinthians 9:14In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.[3]
To hear more about caring for your spiritual leaders, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-continued-reforms
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.