Day 206

Effects of worldly living

1 Timothy 6

Key Verses: 1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 17

Notice that Christ’s reputation needs to be upheld by our actions. This even holds true with something as abhorrent as slavery. Scripture does not support slavery. We are all equally created in God’s image and likeness, and as such, we are all of inestimable value. But Paul says that even in a culture that supports slavery, the slave’s actions need to reflect Christ’s nature. Bad culture is no excuse for our negative behavior. We are responsible for our actions, regardless of what happens in a culture. Mob rule is no excuse. Past injustice does not excuse current injustice in the opposite direction.

We could get sidetracked from our central mission of the Gospel if we started arguing the merits of slavery. There are none! But this does not excuse believing masters from treating his slaves in a godly manner, or even freeing them. It also doesn’t free the slave to rebel, since he is now “free in Christ.” Everyone is responsible for staying focused on the goal of living in a way that wins the lost to Christ. Being a Jesus-follower is not a road to financial prosperity. It is a road to financial responsibility.

Money can get us in trouble. We start life with a net worth of zero and we will leave this world with zero. Why do we get so caught up in gaining in the intervening years? Be content. The pursuit of wealth has pulled many a life of course. Be content.

Instead of pursing money, Paul says we should pursue godly character. Paul sounds almost like a football coach at halftime. His team is winning, but he must keep them focused on the game, or they could easily lose in the second half. And in the middle of this coaching session Paul states some profound beliefs about the character and nature of God. Only God is immortal. Not even superheroes are. He can never die. He has always existed. Everything that we can possibly interact with both here on earth and out is space had a beginning, and will have an end. God has neither. He always existed and He always will.

Wealth is provided for our enjoyment, but with responsibility for others as part of the package. Without a focus on the needs of others, the wealthy can easily get lost in their spiritual journey. Wealth, when it is kept, becomes a weight born by the wealthy. Generosity is the only way for the wealthy to unburden themselves. It can be easy to trust wealth rather than trusting God.

Day 205

Counsel concerning the widows 

1 Timothy 5

Key Verses: 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 17, 23, 25

Remember, Paul is giving advice to Timothy, his young protégé. This advice includes how to show respect to both your elders and your peers. The problem with the advice is that so many don’t know what proper treatment of an elder or a peer looks like. They have never seen it, or recognized it when it happened. So to treat them like a family member often comes out as disrespect! We need to treat our family at least as well as we are told to treat strangers.

The charity coming from a church needs to be focused on those that are really in need, not just those whose family is unwilling to help. Family has the primary responsibility for caring for poor, elderly or infirmed family members. When someone has this kind of need, the churches first response needs to be family education. The family needs to learn to take care of their own. When someone does not have family, or the family truly can’t meet the need, then the church can step in with care.

Taking care of your family might mean sacrifices. There might some “tightening of the belt” that takes place. Eating out might come to an end. Big vacations might need to be given up. Other members of the family might need to work a paying job to make up the difference. But family needs to take care of family.

There should also be some requirements for those who do not have family. Not just anyone gets help from the church. Paul starts with some age restriction, over 60. That is because younger women in those days could earn some money through productive work. It might not be a career, but it would be income.

There are also some character requirements. They themselves need to have demonstrated with actions the kind of charity they are about to receive. They need to have put their money where their mouth is. The two presidential candidates have given. One has given a substantial amount of their income, one has given a token amount. One has given millions and a high percentage of his income away and the other has give tens of thousands, and a very small percentage away. Paul would commend one and scold the other.

Paul’s point is that we need to be productive if we can. We need to add value to those around us by the work we do. We are not to become idle. We are to do the caring and supporting personally rather than passing that care off to others.

We should pay pastors. Taking medicine is OK. Let our life speak for our faith. Preach the good news of Jesus; use words if we have to.

Day 204

1 Timothy 4

Instruction for godly living 

Key Verses: 4, 7, 12, 13

I find it amazing that things change so little over the centuries. Mormonism was started by just such a person. Like many in his age he was a spiritualist, believing that spirits wanted to communicate with him as medium. And demons did communicate with him through an elaborate scheme which ended in a new cult and tens of millions deceived. Multiple wives, magical glasses, ancient languages, mysterious teachings, hidden truths. These make up the stuff of fables.

 Watch out when you hear people restricting their diet because of religious reasons, especially if they claim Christ as their Lord. Everything is OK to eat as a Christian. All foods are acceptable, but not all foods are good for you. Some of us must watch our caloric intake. But there are no religious prohibitions on certain foods. Meat is OK. Lobster is OK. So, watch for those who want to put restrictions on your diet in the name of Christ.

There are other things that can get you sidetracked in your walk as a Jesus-follower. Paul called them godless myths and old wives’ tales. In contrast Paul says our energies need to be concentrated on training ourselves to be godly. Our time, energy and concentration need to be focused toward this goal, not chasing unimportant trivia.

I think our culture in particular gets pulled away from training in godliness through the trap of entertainment. I am guilty of this trap. I spend hours watching movies and old TV shows. Many get hooked on internet games and challenges. Some push the outdoor sports and recreation beyond their proper limits. Heading to the lake replaces heading to church. We vegetate rather than contemplate. Even good things can get out of balance.

There are five areas Paul outlines in verse twelve that should be the focus of our spiritual disciplines, in contrast to the wasteful pursuits. Speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. One of particular note jumps out of this list: speech. I our day and age where people are “free” to be individuals, freedom has pushed beyond proper limits. Would you want every word you speak to be broadcast for future generations, or perhaps future employers to judge you by?

Our words represent our inner character. If our language sounds like the language of the world, cursing, swearing, degrading, in short, falling downward rather than inspiring to aim higher, perhaps we need to rethink our language. “But everyone talks like this!” But we are not everyone. We represent Jesus who denied Himself for us. He gave up his right to do as He pleased. We can do the same.

Day 203

1 Timothy 3

Virtues of Christian elders 

Key Verses: 2, 5, 10, 14

Being a pastor of a congregation is not something to be sought apart from the call of God. There are requirements that must be met, standards of conduct, unacceptable behaviors. As a pastor you are put on a pedestal, whether you want to be or not. Your congregation has expectations of your behavior, expectations that Paul reinforces here in these verses. Our personal lives must be in order. Our families can’t be in rebellion. Even outsiders must think highly of you.

I think we too often elevate leaders too rapidly into positions of authority. And in our “lone ranger” society, leaders become isolated and vulnerable. Then when people admit weakness, we throw them under the bus, instead of working reconciliation and restoration. Part of that restoration would be active accountability with others. No more isolation.

This list in verses two through seven should be on every pastor’s desk in the world. This is the standard. Meet it or move out of pastoral leadership. These are not impossible standards. Pastors are not perfect, but we are held to a higher standard.

Other leaders are also held to a standard. As they are chosen for leadership, their lives become open to public scrutiny. We don’t want people in leadership with deep, dark secrets that can be exposed and place the church in a vulnerable position. Background checks for those working in leadership, especially those working with children and youth, makes perfect sense and should be done. We also don’t want people in leadership whose lives are a poor reflection of Christ.

Paul writes Timothy to pass along his wisdom to his young protégé. Paul’s words speak across the centuries to all those who are in leadership, not just those who are in leadership in the church. As business leaders our lives are open to scrutiny. As Jesus-followers our lives need to reflect the Lord.

Day 202

1 Timothy 2

Directions for godly women 

Key Verses: 2, 5, 8, 9, 11

We need to pray for those in our government, so that they don’t prevent us from leading a quiet, godly life. Part of what I hear Paul saying is that the government has the ability to make our lives miserable, just a Rome did in this period of history. They got into individuals business in intrusive ways. We need to pray that government would get out of the way of living godly lives. They should be supporting godly living because godly living benefits everyone, even those who don’t live godly lives.

But notice that Paul does not compromise on the Truth. Government is not the answer. Jesus, the one mediator, is. Government can either inhibit or permit, get in the way or stay out of the way. Government has a role, but it must be restrained. Paul wanted prayers so that the government would not get in the way of his mission of sharing the Gospel with the Gentiles.

Men and women sometimes have different struggles in life. It seems that Paul pointed out men’s tendency toward anger and disputing. Men can get sidetracked in the spiritual walk by acting out of anger to circumstances that would be better handled by prayer. When we are not in touch with Jesus through prayer, we can react to so many different things with anger. Anger often comes as a result of not feeling respected.

Women often have the problem of not feeling cherished, special. So out of that lack they do up the outside, hoping it will make their inside feel better. It can work for a while, but everyone sags, wrinkles and fades over time. Without lots of money, plastic surgery, and compulsive exercise, our bodies change and there is nothing we can do about it. Paul says those outward looks are not important in the long run. What is important is how we act, what we do.

Both men and women need to live their lives in a way that honors the Lord. The particulars might change over time and be culturally adapted, but there are some absolutes. In some places in the world a man must have a beard or they are showing disrespect and rebellion. In some cultures, a woman with a shaved head is acceptable. Beard or hair really makes little difference. What God wants from us is godly living, bearded or bald.

Culturally, women in leadership was not widely accepted in Paul’s day. Evidently, there were some women whose leadership was becoming an offense, and causing difficulties. We don’t know the specifics, but Paul says that their actions did not demonstrate proper submission, submission to God’s authority. Are your actions demonstrating submission to God’s authority in your life?