Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 9

  In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.   1 Timothy 3:9-13

           Deacons, who according to Acts, carry on the mercy ministries in the church while elders do the preaching, praying, and discipling ministries, have very similar qualifications to elders. While there are so many directions to go with this passage, the one that jumps out at me is that Paul addresses alcohol in both. Is there a correlation between drinking alcohol and having a good marriage? How about raising Godly well behaved Children who honor you? 

          The Bible doesn't say that drinking alcohol is a sin and in both these passages the emphasis is on excessive drinking and drunkenness, just like temperance and self-control is emphasized. The question isn't is it wrong to drink, the question is, is it wise? Is it wise to have a wine cabinet in your house? Is it wise for you to have beer or coolers in your refrigerator? How do you present this to your kids? When your kids ask, "Daddy, what's in that can? Is it soda? Can I have some?" What's your answer? "No, not until you are older." "Why?", asks the child. How do you answer that? Having grown up in a family that didn't drink, I legitimately don't have an answer. The only answers I can come up with suggest "do as I say, not as I do". "This is OK for me but not for you". And then when they get old enough, aren't they going to want to try? Who knows if they will be able to control it like you can? When you want your kids to follow you in every way except this one thing, doesn't it scream hypocrisy? And let me assure you, kids pick up on every area of hypocrisy in parents' lives.

           Paul says in Romans 14 and 1Corinthians 8 that if there is a potential to make a young believer stumble in an area, he would gladly give it up for this blink of an eye called life on this earth, then assist in the damnation of a soul for all eternity. How much more for the children you brought into this world? Am I being a bit dramatic? Am I going too far? Maybe, but if it was me, I wouldn't drink in view of my children. I just don't think it's wise and anecdotally, I've seen the results.