Day 348, 14th December Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of 1st Timothy.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.
EXPECTED STANDARDS FOR LEADERS IN CHURCH:
Overseers, Deacons, Pastors (v.1-2)
They are expected to manage their family life and children properly.
“If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.” (v.5,12)
RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES
Employing a Pastor/Overseers/Deacon: — The office of the pastor must not be occupied by a novice/young convert. As he or she may become puffed up and fall like the devil did (v.6). That means a young person could have an obvious call and be talented but would require a set period of training and should have a coach even while in the office. This enables effective management of resources (spiritual and humans).
• You understand that they require humility to effective manage attraction and attention, for example.
SOFT-SKILLS: Clerics must have excellent people skills — and be known as men of integrity by the world (v.6).
They must:
• Avoid excess wine
• Avoid dishonest gains
• “They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with clear conscience” v.9
• Disallow perversion and heresy
• Undergo compulsory induction and test (examine their life).
• It is very modern for ministers to have Jobs or Businesses, it is important that in all their interactions —career— cooperate, business, economic– trade relationships they are known for their integrity as God's holy people.
CONDUCT FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD:
All must understand that the house of God is upheld by truth and the mystery of the resurrection; The life of Christ, the gospel preached and believed worldwide.
CHAPTER 41-16
Let these fundamental truths be settled in the assembly of God’s people or they will be deceived by corrupt ministers. It will be so horrible that their teachings will cause a disdain for marriage among God's people, their talks on foods, myths, and old wives tales will be used to deceive them.
• “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and all the good teaching that you have followed” v.6
• “For bodily exercise profited little: but godliness is profitable onto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” v.8
• v.12 — “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and
in purity” niv. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers; in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." kjv. Timothy though a youth, had worked under Paul; been trained, and coaching is ongoing.
YOUTHS IN MINISTRY — YOUNG ADULTS
Paul expect that young ministers, preachers, clerics should be respected. He reminds Timothy of his spiritual gifts. (v.15). It's another way of saying, I believe in you, I trust you, forge on! It is also a prayer; agreeing; calling forth the manifestation of those gifts.
When you keep prophecies pertaining to your spiritual gifts to heart; they grow and manifest great signs. When people also confirm them, endorse them, it helps. Though God's calling is without repentance, many without much support manifest and fulfil potential and their divine call.
Timothy had the best coach he could: Paul encouraged him to go public and how (v.13-16)
CHAPTER 51-25
TURN CHURCH (BELIEVERS) TO YOUR FAMILY —
Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Sisters (according to their ages) do this with pure intentions.
• Do not rebuke an older man harshly” (v.5a)
• Do not use this as an opportunity to take advantage of any sexually
v.3-25
MANAGE THE WIDOWS:- Classify them by their age. Allow the younger ones to marry and have children to avoid idleness, promiscuity and slander. v.3-5
• I (Toyin) recommend that widows and divorce are classified as the same, in any church of the world (see Numbers 30:9), when vows to the Almighty God was been discussed, they were categorized together: Widow or Divorce. Also see that Exodus 21:11, to give reason.
Handle their situation case by case. So that widows with mature children and grandchildren provide for them. The church should take up the responsibility of those without family.
• Counselling and advisory sections should be organised; whereby children are told it's time to show some love - return on investment to their widowed mum. “Do not muzzle an ox that treads out the corn” v.18 — pay those you have benefited from their service. Pay your staff their due wages. You are to pay promptly.
Honour the elderly — those who preach and teach. (v.17). Uphold the dignity of the elders, but the transgressors among them should be subject to public reprimand – so as to caution others. (v.19-20).
• Do not relate with partiality and favouritism, the angels are watching! (v.21).
• Take some wine it’s ok! (v.23)
• Alas! Some are so sinful their sins have gone ahead of them to the judgement seat in the heavenly realm, while some have their sins like a shadow on their skirts/trousers. Good deeds act the same. (v.24-25)
IN YOUR CIRCULAR JOB; be loyal and respectful. Consider it a privilege, if you have God-fearing managers, don’t abuse the relationship. (v.1-2)
v.3-10
TO GODLINESS ADD CONTENTMENT
Avoid those that promote unhealthy controversies and quarrels. Such also think that godliness is a means to corrupt gain (v.5)
“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it” v.6-7
The love of money is the root of all evil — be content with good food and clothing (v.10,8). If that's what your income gives you. You can do things to grow and make money; like acquiring skills, partnerships but not any work of unrighteousness such as stealing, embezzling, or money ritual.
NIGHT:
“Give proper recognition to widows who are really in need” v.3
Can you commit to 1/2/3 widows to personally support them with good conscience?!
What about that fatherless child?
©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.
Warmth
Toyin
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