Philippians 2:29
“Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold people like him in high regard”.
Culture elevates their heroes. They are the rich, famous or intellectual. God has different values. He focuses on the widows and orphans. He also values the humble. Paul is speaking of Epaphroditus. He is one of Paul’s traveling companions. He came close to death in his service for Christ. Paul is sending him to the Philippians to minister to them.
Paul says in I Timothy 5:18, ‘For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”’ My point is these workers are giving their time and effort without a contract. They should pay them or take care of them. These are to be esteemed.
This is why churches collect money. These pastors need to be paid and the ministry needs to money to have a place to meet. Money is also required for the supplies. The world mocks this. They point to abusers and imply that all are crooked.
James 2:1-3 speaks about favoritism, ‘My brothers and sisters, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in bright clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poorman, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,”’ We are to treat all alike. The world has these values; not the church.
I was in a small group that had a retired pastor in it. These were good guys. That held this pastor in high regard.
Lord, thank You for Your values. Help us to attain to them.