Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 16

  The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”[Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.  1Tim.5:18-25

       A lot of people like to look back on their life and reminisce. Not me. Sure, I miss the years of our kids growing up, etc. but any part of it that looks back on me, I would just as soon not. Why? Frankly because it is embarrassing.  I thought I knew so much yet I knew so little. I thought I was wise but I was a fool. I thought I was humble yet I was so proud. There are incidents after incidents if I had to do over, I would and I look back and all I can say to myself is, "What an idiot you were."

      And yet, there I was at the formation of a fledgling church plant that in order to exist independently, had to have its quota of elders and deacons and I was ordained as an elder. This is what Paul is warning Timothy about - don't be hasty in making people elders and deacons just to fill a quota or because you need help; it's a mistake. Is a 30 year old mature enough to make decisions on hiring a pastor, building a church, settling disputes among members, dealing with alcoholic husbands, depression and burnout of pastor, budgets, hiring and firing of staff, church discipline along with talking to parents about their kids, and more? And it's not just being unprepared at that age that's the problem, it's the arrogance of youth that thinks you are or the naivety of youth not knowing that you aren't ready. I would comfort myself with the Morgan Freeman to Kevin Costner quote in Robin Hood, "there's no such thing as perfect people but there is such a thing as perfect motives."  Unfortunately, over the years I have learned that I can't even trust my motives.

       So what is Paul's teachings to pastors? 

1. You are worth every cent they are paying you because it's a tough job

2. It's better to be physically stressed than emotionally and inter-personally

3. People will come against you but God will protect you and your innocence or guilt will be clear

4. You will be held to a higher standard than anyone else. Make sure this is God's calling for your life