Dr. Hugh H. Morgan, Editor, Founder of Hugh's News, Inc. The month of October is designated as Pastor Appreciation month. Our local church is Christian Life Worship Center in Athens, Georgia. Our church council in coordination with our pastor have announced that we will celebrate Pastor Appreciation the last Sunday, which is Sunday, November 30--Pastor Appreciation Sunday!
I am encouraging our church council and everyone I meet in church to be extravagant in their giving to our pastor this year. Why? I believe the Bible teaches God's people to do that. Can I prove it? Yes, indeed. Here is one Scripture verse to support my challenge. Let me quote it by printing it out for you:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
KJV
What does esteem mean? I am glad you asked. I looked up the word for you and myself:
Noun
1. respect and admiration, typically for a person. "he was held in high esteem by colleagues" synonyms: respect, admiration, acclaim, approbation, appreciation, favor, recognition, honor, reverence; more.
Verb
1. respect and admire. "many of these qualities are esteemed by managers" synonyms: respect, admire, value, regard, acclaim, appreciate, like, prize, treasure, favor, revere.
We place high value on the person of our pastor, his wife, and family. They are God's chosen leaders to minister to us and to be our shepherd. They are alive and on fire for God. The Holy Spirit has anointed them and given them the unction to speak God's Word to us in season and out of season. They are eager and ready to serve and bless our congregation.
We esteem our pastor for his work's sake. His work is to do the Will of God. We must give generously to allow God to unleash the God-given gifts and talents invested in him and his wife, and we include the children, too. They are called to be our leaders and role models. If we highly prize them we will give generously and extravagantly. God loves a cheerful giver. The Bible says:
2 Corinthians 9:7-9
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
NIV
I am reminded of a children's song I heard the Catholic children singing at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, while I was stationed there, in one of our three chapels one day. They really sang it with gusto which means: enthusiasm, enjoyment, delight, glee, and pleasure. It is a song we should consider teaching to our children at church.
To watch Pre K children at Phil-Mont Christian Academy singing this song, you may Click Here on this hyperlink I have prepared for you.
Here are the lyrics:
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
(chorus)
God loves a cheerful giver give it all you got
Woo!
He loves to see you laughing
when you're in an awkward spot
When the odds are up against you
It's time to stop and sing: "Praise God
To praise Him is a joyous thing!"
(1st stanza)
Peter was impetus
Peter always made a fuss
He knew Hard Times
When he denied his Lord
But hardly had he fallen down
He got back up and began again
God said his name would be the rock as his reward
Oh!
(chorus)
(2nd stanza)
Jonah was a gloomy sort
He always had a sad report
He ran from God
He ran and he set sail
His journey's end was quite abrupt
A fish came by and swallowed him up
He spent three dark and dreary days inside a whale
Oh!
(chorus)
(3rd stanza)
Holy Job was richly blessed
He lost it all
But stood the test
For Job Was stead fast in his misery
"God gives to me He takes away
Blessed be the name of God today!"
And Job was doubly blessed for his fidelity!
Oh!
God loves a cheerful giver give it all you've got
Woo!
He loves to see you laughing
when you're in an awkward spot
When the odds are up against you
It's time to stop and sing: "Praise God
To praise Him is a joyous
Joyous thing!"
Woo!
I am encouraging our church council and everyone I meet in church to be extravagant in their giving to our pastor this year. Why? I believe the Bible teaches God's people to do that. Can I prove it? Yes, indeed. Here is one Scripture verse to support my challenge. Let me quote it by printing it out for you:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
KJV
What does esteem mean? I am glad you asked. I looked up the word for you and myself:
Noun
1. respect and admiration, typically for a person. "he was held in high esteem by colleagues" synonyms: respect, admiration, acclaim, approbation, appreciation, favor, recognition, honor, reverence; more.
Verb
1. respect and admire. "many of these qualities are esteemed by managers" synonyms: respect, admire, value, regard, acclaim, appreciate, like, prize, treasure, favor, revere.
We place high value on the person of our pastor, his wife, and family. They are God's chosen leaders to minister to us and to be our shepherd. They are alive and on fire for God. The Holy Spirit has anointed them and given them the unction to speak God's Word to us in season and out of season. They are eager and ready to serve and bless our congregation.
We esteem our pastor for his work's sake. His work is to do the Will of God. We must give generously to allow God to unleash the God-given gifts and talents invested in him and his wife, and we include the children, too. They are called to be our leaders and role models. If we highly prize them we will give generously and extravagantly. God loves a cheerful giver. The Bible says:
2 Corinthians 9:7-9
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
NIV
I am reminded of a children's song I heard the Catholic children singing at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, while I was stationed there, in one of our three chapels one day. They really sang it with gusto which means: enthusiasm, enjoyment, delight, glee, and pleasure. It is a song we should consider teaching to our children at church.
To watch Pre K children at Phil-Mont Christian Academy singing this song, you may Click Here on this hyperlink I have prepared for you.
Here are the lyrics:
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
(chorus)
God loves a cheerful giver give it all you got
Woo!
He loves to see you laughing
when you're in an awkward spot
When the odds are up against you
It's time to stop and sing: "Praise God
To praise Him is a joyous thing!"
(1st stanza)
Peter was impetus
Peter always made a fuss
He knew Hard Times
When he denied his Lord
But hardly had he fallen down
He got back up and began again
God said his name would be the rock as his reward
Oh!
(chorus)
(2nd stanza)
Jonah was a gloomy sort
He always had a sad report
He ran from God
He ran and he set sail
His journey's end was quite abrupt
A fish came by and swallowed him up
He spent three dark and dreary days inside a whale
Oh!
(chorus)
(3rd stanza)
Holy Job was richly blessed
He lost it all
But stood the test
For Job Was stead fast in his misery
"God gives to me He takes away
Blessed be the name of God today!"
And Job was doubly blessed for his fidelity!
Oh!
God loves a cheerful giver give it all you've got
Woo!
He loves to see you laughing
when you're in an awkward spot
When the odds are up against you
It's time to stop and sing: "Praise God
To praise Him is a joyous
Joyous thing!"
Woo!