Feed Your Pastor

REJOICE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MAY 2021

BY PASTOR BRIAN MACHACHE

The Word of God is clear from both the Old Testament and New Testament that pastors need to be cared for by the church and the believers.

LESSONS FROM OBADIAH’S LIFE (1 Kings 18:3-4) 1) Obadiah feared God - He was living around a wicked king, but he still maintained his integrity 2) Obadiah was a governor - People who fear God are needed in key positions. They will represent the church, the pastors, and the work of God at large. 3) Obadiah respected the servants of God - God is still calling and raising prophets and pastors. 4) Obadiah protected the servants of God - The devil is out there to destroy pastors. You can stop him from doing that. 5) Obadiah was a giver - He fed 100 prophets by himself. 6) Obadiah was responsible - He took it as his responsibility to take care of the servants of God. 7) Obadiah was principled - He worked under those who didn’t value servants of God, but he kept on respecting servants of God.

THE DEPTH OF OBADIAH’S SACRIFICE 1) Feeding 100 men is not easy, “especially men.” 2) Going against your boss’s values isn’t easy. 3) Hiding 100 people is not easy. 4) Feeding people who are in hiding means you have to feed them during very odd hours. If one person could feed 100 prophets, why are churches with 100 people failing to feed one pastor? If one person could protect 100 prophets, why are churches with several people failing to protect one pastor?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF 1) Who is taking care of my pastor? 2) When is the last time I did something for my pastor? 3) Is the support that I am giving my pastor good enough? 4) Am I a burden or a blessing to my pastor? 5) Do I know the needs of my pastor? 6) When I visit my pastor, do I ever think of carrying something with me to bring for my pastor?

COMMON MISTAKES 1) Thinking that your pastor has it all and doesn’t need your support 2) Thinking that your pastor

REJOICE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MAY 2021

should be helping you and not you helping him 3) Supporting a pastor on TV when you have never supported your own personal pastor 4) Taking your pastor as one of those people out there who are just after gaining from you 5) Thinking that your pastor is a super human being who is not affected by physical needs

MORE EXAMPLES 1) Abraham feeding the three men (Genesis 18:8) 2) A widow feeding Elijah (1 Kings 17:9) 3) A woman feeding Elisha (2 Kings 4:8) 4) Jesus told his disciples to carry nothing as they go to preach (Luke 10:7)

WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS ABOUT SUPPORTING PASTORS

1) You have to support those who teach you the Word of God (Galatians 6:6) 2) Those who preach the gospel must get their living from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:13-14) 3) It is unfair to ignore the needs of those who minister the gospel (1 Timothy 5:1718)

WHY THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOOD AT THE PASTOR’S PLACE 1) It helps the pastor to concentrate on ministry work and not trying to survive. 2) Pastors won’t preach out of bitterness when things are in place at home. 3) The pastor’s children must not hate the work of their parents. 4) People who visit the pastor’s place should be given food to eat. 5) When there is an abundance of food at the pastor’s place, the same abundance will be witnessed in the homes of people that they lead.

PASTOR’S WELFARE DEPARTMENT Every church should have a department that is responsible for collecting groceries for the pastor. 1) This department will ensure that everyone in the church understands why it is important to support the pastor. 2) Encouraging everyone in the church to support their pastor. 3) Checking with the pastor or pastor’s wife on the things that are needed.

ACTION STEP:

Prayerfully consider doing something for your pastor this week. Listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what you should give.

REJOICE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MAY 2021

REJOICE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MAY 2021