By Ken Blue
“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” Proverbs 30:24-25.
Ants are considered wise because they plan during the summer months for the coming winter. Since ants cannot read, this passage must have been written for our sakes. The message is simple; wise men prepare for the winter.
Fortunate is the pastor who has leaders in his church that are farsighted and will implement some form of retirement for him. Neither the pastor’s health nor his ministry will endure forever. The time will come when you will be forced to retire. (That time has come for me.) You must ask yourself the question, “Will my wife and I be able to live on Social Security?” You probably cannot.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The pastor’s health nor his ministry will endure forever.[/pullquote]
I suggest the pastor purchase his own home and have it put in his name. The church is also permitted to give him a housing allowance with which to make the payments. This allowance is also tax free. In addition, a retirement fund should be set up immediately. It may be a small amount at first, depending on the ability of the church. However, it can be increased as funds increase. I do believe Jesus is coming again, but that theology need not interfere with practical wisdom. It is not selfish to prepare for winter. According to Scripture, it is wise to do so. Besides, you should be as wise as an ant. If you are a church member, you should take the initiative to have some retirement plan established for your pastor.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.