A celebration of the call of God upon Prophet ELVIS MBONYE, a noble leader in the house of God through whom God has used to be a blessing to thousands of people including myself. I, along with my entire ministry took part in this as we recognize what it means or at least what different people mean by double honor.
A conundrum is a thought provoking brain - teaser expressed through a play on words. That's what the Bible did when it came to the term double honor.
Well for a time now there has been all sorts of meaning attached to honoring servants of God as everyone one finds their own understanding.
Some people believe they double honor by believing that they do, or they honor by having a T-shirt expressing those sentiments; maybe a good car sticker could do the trick, or a nice one hit wonder. How about an endless nod of your head in awe? Top it up with a bow or curtsy, and a deep husky sanctimonious "I double honor you man of God" underneath your breath.
All these are acceptable as a form of respect and deep seated love for the servants of God, but they don't mirror what the scripture teaches on honor.
How about we find out what the scripture teaches?
1 Timothy 5:17 (AMP) [17] "Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor [and of adequate financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching"
It is really clear that for those who are laboring faithfully in preaching should be considered double worthy of honor and of adequate financial support. Verse '18' admonishes that you shall not muzzle an oz when it's treading the grain.
Therefore elders who have labored faithfully are considered worthy of adequate financial support/giving.
To honor a man of God according to scripture is to give him of your substance.
Well, 1 Corinthians 9:11 (KJV) "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" It's really simple, giving your treasures or precious things is the least you can do as a sign of reverence.
There is no amount of physical substance enough to buy what has been sown into your life. Spiritually sowing to get something/reaping is awesome, but sowing or giving for appreciation is something else.
It's funny when you see this woman in (Mark 14:3 KJV)
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
When you read ahead you find the famous quote "the poor you always have". Jesus saw the bitterness everyone had around him over this woman who gave her entire works purchase not to reap or harvest something, But just because she loved him (Refer to my previous blog on Sowing and Reaping: A case for honoring servants of God)
There is enough scripture for respect, reverence, adhering and obedience to servants of God, like Hebrews 13:17 (AMP)
[17] "Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part too] let them do this with gladness and not with 'sighing and groaning', for that would not be profitable to you [either]"
This scripture above and many others can include your head nods and car stickers with a shout whenever you meet them and they are scriptural in that sense and acceptable. That means after doing all these acts of respect and admiration continue to honor.
To double honor is a chance to double give of your earthly substance, for if we have sown in you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your canal things?
Psalms 35:27 (KJV)
"Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant"
Remember this when you think of honor.
That's my take
Peace