We

understand "honor" in the Fifth Commandment:

honor your father and mother that your days may be long

upon the land. Honor involves respect, deference,

appreciation, and loyalty. What child can say he has

honored his parents if he has not been loyal over the

years?

Nevertheless,

to lock on quickly to the meaning of honor, ask some of

your square dancing friends. They know that the command

to "honor your partner" means to bow to your

partner. Bow down!

Additionally,

the word "double" intrigued me. The Scripture

is clear: ministers who work hard at the Word are not

worthy of single honor, but double honor. I did not write

this down. The Apostle Paul wrote it and if you believe

the Bible, he wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy

Spirit.

Double. It

does not take Jethro or a rocket scientist to figure out

what "double" means. Just a few hints, however:

When you say "make it a double scoop," you are

looking for an ice cream cone with two dollops of ice

cream. If the pretty lady gives you just one, you reprove

her by saying, "I asked for two scoops." She

then digs another and secures it atop the single scoop.

Now,

baseball fans. A double play. I know little about sports

and when I start with a sports illustration in my

message, the crowd groans and laughs. I think I know this

one, however. Pitcher throws the ball with a man on

first. Batter hits the ball. The third baseman catches it

after a bounce, throws it to second base; the second

baseman throws it to first. Wallah! The announcer

declares a double play. Two outs but with just one hit.

Two! In Spanish, "Dos."

Back to the

Bible. Paul says the minister who works hard at the Word

deserves double honor. I have a sneaking feeling that

many congregations do not even give their minister a

single honor. And they call us the Bible Belt!

Got a

suggestion for you. Figure out a way to honor your

minister, priest, pastor, or rabbi. Then, double it.

You'll be Biblical. Besides, you may just encourage him

to triple his efforts on your behalf.

The

Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community

Church in Fayetteville.

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