"You shall not steal." (Ex. 20:15)
Let the ministers of churches faithfully attend to the ministry of the Word, not adulterating the teaching of salvation [cf. 2 Cor. 2:17], but delivering it pure and undefiled to God's people. And let them instruct the people not only through teaching, but also through example of life. In short, let them exercise authority as good shepherds over their sheep [cf. 1 Tim. 3:1ff; 2 Tim. 2:1ff; 2 Tim. 4:1 ff; Titus 1:6 ff.; 1 Peter 5:1ff]. Let the people in their turn receive them as messengers and apostles of God, render to them that honor of which the highest Master has deemed them worthy, and give them those things necessary for their livelihood [cf. Matt. 10:10ff.; Rom. 10:15 and 15:15ff.; 1 Cor. 9:1ff; Gal. 6:6; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17-18].
Section: 2.8.46 of “The Institutes of The Christian Religion”
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