17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those who work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”**

In these two verses, Paul emphasizes how a leader’s good work in the church should be rewarded. Whatever duties the person performs, he or she should be treated with respect while fulfilling it (1st quoted verse), and should be compensated for time and effort afterward (2nd quoted verse).

Why does Paul stop and make this point about church elders/leaders? Because often church leaders get critiqued rather than supported, even in our modern church. When too many people start wanting the church to cater specifically to them, pleasing everyone while still serving God can be an impossible task. The truth is, leading even a small ministry is difficult, but often we regular members forget just how hard others are working behind the scenes to make each Sunday morning and Wednesday night happen. Hearing only criticism and getting no support from the church body can thus make ministry service a thankless task.

Paul’s advice here, then, is for church members to consciously remember to praise and reward their leaders, rather than ignore and/or chastise them. It’s not that regular members need to go out and buy their church leaders a new car every month, and for certain the congregation should not start praising and worshipping a human instead of God. But kind words of appreciation and a little monetary support can be more of a blessing to ministry leaders than we’ll ever know.

**(Side note: the first Scripture quote in verse 18 comes from Deuteronomy and the second comes from Luke–by this time, the New Testament writings were as trusted by Christians as the Old Testament.)

1 Timothy 1:12-17

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This passage, as part of Paul’s first letter to Timothy included in the Bible, encapsulates what it means to be a “sinner saved by grace”, as the song goes. Paul fully acknowledges, in these verses, how undeserving he is of the grace of God, and how much more wonderful that grace is to receive when undeserved. All of us, any person alive, has this gift of grace waiting for us. None of us are righteous enough in our own merits to deserve it, but God offers it as a way to reconnect with us.

When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice as an atonement for our own sins, we accept this grace and are saved, are reconnected with God in the most powerful of ways. Even Paul, self-described as a “blasphemer,” “persecutor,” and “the worst of sinners,” came to God in the same way that anyone does–through Jesus. And, once he accepted that, then God was able to use him in mighty ways to reach others, to lead them towards the same salvation and peace that was offered him.

Those who do not know about God (or do not believe He exists) may doubt that such peace exists, or that salvation is necessary; I can personally attest that not only is salvation necessary, but that it brings the most loving peace into one’s life through a closer spiritual connection to God. (I have lived outside of that peace, and I have lived within it; I know which life I prefer much more.)

The word “salvation” is not meaningless jargon, or a pithy slogan. Instead, it means that you no longer bear the burden of payment for everything you’ve done wrong in your life. You can give that burden, that guilt, that shame, even that pain, over to God the moment you talk to Jesus honestly and ask Him to guide you through life. For Paul, this “talking to Jesus” was literally a life-changing experience (as we see in the Book of Acts)–just as it was for me, and just as it is for every person who becomes Christian.

And the best part? Once you become Christian and begin to talk to God through prayer, you will experience a peace you can’t explain, even when more troubles come than you ever expected. Somehow, even through the most trembling times, knowing that you have God to rely on brings that feeling of strength and peace. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that your life will magically become easy and carefree; it means that you’ll now have a well of heavenly strength to draw on when you need it.