# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S169
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

14th Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1914.                    169

Word, and, in particular, the care of ministers of the Word who have
become disabled through old age or otherwise unable to serve, and of
their dependents and survivors, leaves much, very much, to be
desired. In His holy Word the Lord has, in clear and unambiguous
words, laid on His Church the duty of caring for its ministers of the
Word, and their dependents and survivors, respectively. Luke 10:7
says: "The laborer is worthy of his hire"; 1 Cor. 9:14: "The Lord has
ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the
gospel"; 1 Tim. 5:17-18: "Let the elders that rule well be counted
worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and
doctrine. For the Scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth out the corn, and, The laborer is worthy of his reward." See
also 1 Cor. 9:7-11. According to these passages, the preaching of the
gospel is to be regarded as a service for which those who hear the
gospel owe a return service — namely, the provision of the means for
the bodily support of their ministers of the Word. The Church
fulfills a duty imposed on it by justice when it provides the
ministers of the Word, so long as they actually carry out their
office, with the means for their bodily support. The ministers of the
Word need not beg those to whom they preach the gospel for the means
necessary for their support, but may rightfully demand them.

According to the above passages, the Church owes this same duty also
to the dependents of its ministers of the Word — to all those who are
dependent on the ministers of the Word as their providers. See Num.
18:11, 19: "thy sons and thy daughters"; v. 31: "ye and your
households." According to the law of nature, and according to the
directions of Scripture, the family belongs together with the
parents.

This duty of the Church toward its ministers of the Word, however,
does not lapse when the latter become unable to serve. Since the
calling to preach the gospel is a lifelong calling, the servants of
the Church should, according to God's will, also have for their whole
lives everything they need for the bodily support of themselves and
of all who are dependent on them as their providers. This accords
with the simple, natural principle of justice that is amply confirmed
by Scripture: "The laborer is worthy of his [food]," 1 Tim. 5:18. The
care of ministers of the Word who have become disabled is part of the
return service that the Church has rightfully come to owe them for
the services they rendered it. The care of ministers of the Word who
have become disabled, and of their dependents and survivors,
respectively, is therefore not alms that the Church extends out of
mercy, but a repayment for services received, the discharge of a debt
resting on the Church, a reward of gratitude and honor.