The assumption is that God's way = Yet's way.
You use certain Scriptures while ignoring others, in addition placing criteria upon pastors that are NOT biblical.
Two examples, in the short time I've been reading your threads, are claiming that pastors MUST hold a secular job or they are Pharisees, and if you honor your pastor with an appreciation day, you are doing something displeasing in God's sight.
Paul said the fellowship has the obligation to provide for those who preach the gospel, and those who are elders should receive double honor.
This stuff is Bible 101.
If you have read most of my threads, I have NOT avoided other scriptures.
Bible 101, but not as your pastor defines it.
We are to support the itinerant preachers. Paul expounded on that, yet he refused it, for the most part, so others could not accuse him of profiting from preaching.
Elders in the local body are to serve without charge. Not for filthy lucre.
Be shepherds of God's flock under your care......not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.1Peter 5:2
About the elders working instead of sponging, it wasn't my idea, though I like it. I direct you to Acts 20:33-35
If they are commanded to work jobs to support themselves and help the poor, why are they being paid salaries in the local body?
Now lets take a look at that DOUBLE salary.
1Tim.5:17-18 'Let the elders that direct well be counted worthy of double honor. Especially they who labor in the word.'
The Greek for honor here is timees, the prevalent meaning is respect, honor.
If it meant money or salary, the Greek word opsonion would have been used which means wages, compensation, money.
It was deliberately NOT used here.
Vs.18 'For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the wheat. And the laborer is worthy of his reward.
The ox receives a reward. Feed. The elder receives a reward. Respect, honor.
I've used the following analogy many times.
Lets say you have a fellowship of 25 people. Twenty are elders, overseers all..see: 1Peter 5:2 and Acts 20:28
Of those 20, 15 are doing a fine job directing, managing. According to that verse, they deserve DOUBLE HONOUR.
And according to you, that means they deserve double salaries! How much is a double salary? What does that even me in dollar amount?
Lets say it is calculated by the average wage earner in the congregation. Let's shoot for 500.00 a week, factory wages.
Now double that. It's now 1000 dollars. So 15 elders means that the 5 non elders are going to have to come up with 15,000 dollars a week to pay these guys that 'double Honour'.
Bible 101 like you never heard it before...at least from any pulpit.