Investment

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

When we think about retirement, we do a lot of research to attempt to determine where to place our money, and the goal is the greatest growth in the shortest period of time.

Obviously, (judging by the ads on TV about retirement funds,) there are a lot of differing opinions about where that investment may be best.

We could only wish people would do as much research into their eternal destination as they do in their earthly retirement…

Paul encourages Timothy to place his resources (and his church’s resources,) in the kingdom of Heaven. Send it on ahead!

Obviously, again, there may be many ways to do that. (Send the money ahead.) What Paul emphasizes here is the investment we make in the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the delivery of sound doctrine.

After teaching us about charity toward widows in verses 3 thru 16, Paul now turns his attention to the investment we are to make in those who teach us how to get to heaven in the first case, and how to stay on that narrow path in the second case.

Both of those are critically important to the church and for the church. They are well-worth investing in.

How often, upon seeing a person give their heart to Christ, do we connect that moment of salvation to our cheerful contribution to the tithe box? How often do we see our prayers for the elders, and the denial of rumors we may hear about them as being tied directly to the salvation of lost sinners?

Those things are inextricably and undeniably connected. For the elder, pastor, or teacher, the ability to spend time researching the Word of God unencumbered by worldly concerns is critical to the kingdom of Heaven. Is that worthy of investment?

   -  Pastor Bill

Charity

1 Tim 5:3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Our heart always goes out to those who cannot help themselves. This is evidence of God’s creation. God cares for other people through our care for them.

Think about it; IF survival of the fittest was truly the rule of life – and if it was it would have to be the ONLY rule because any other thing would clash violently with that rule – than charity would never happen. It would never have occurred to anyone. All life focus would be only on one’s self-interest.

But we do sense another rule in our members. It IS a part of creation to have compassion and love for one another. Inviting Christ to be our Savior greatly intensifies by His power what is already found within our members. (Even the wicked know how to give good gifts to their sons.)

And so, even if we are not actively looking for it, we will notice those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves. We can’t help but notice, even if we try not to. In that notice, we will sense a kind of inexplicable sorrow for that condition judged to be less fortunate than our own. Occasionally, we will also notice those who are not only less fortunate than ourselves, but also completely unable to do anything about it.

These are the ones Paul instructs Timothy to focus upon with the material resources of the church. In this case, widows. True widows. Not just a woman whose husband has passed away, but one who no longer is in ANY position to provide food and shelter through her own family’s support, or through her ability to work.

Throughout God’s Word the LORD has expressed a great desire for His people to be known for how they care for the ‘widows’ in their midst. In this age of social-consciousness, the government has usurped this role to all of our harm. One of the great purposes of His Church and His love has been denied and abandoned.

   -  Pastor Bill

In a Family Way

1 Tim 5:1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.

We often refer to the church as a ‘family.’

There is a good reason for this. The church more closely resembles a family than any other type of social unit.

Or, at least it should.

Among the things Paul encourages Timothy to as a pastor is to treat the church placed in his trust by the Lord as his very own family. Not just any old family – but as his very own.

As such, he is encouraged to build up rather than tear down.

Sometimes it is easier for us to deal with strangers than it is to deal with family members. Friends, likewise. Sometimes we are too hard on strangers – and we may well be too easy with friends. (Or perhaps vice-versa.)

Paul cautions against either condition. These people the Lord has brought to you – He is bringing for a purpose. He is bringing them for your tender loving care. Paul’s direction speaks to the degree of care.

“Timothy, the Lord REALLY cares for these people - they are the sheep of His pasture. Do you?”

And so, in what may seem like a sort of cast-off little grouping of instructions, Paul hands down powerful direction for living with others - and they have everything to do with loving Jesus and expressing His love to whosoever. How important is that?

For me as pastor, or as a church member for that matter, the instruction is to exhort every older man as if every older man was my father.

I have never in my life rebuked my father. I am for my father. The words I reserve for my father are words of exhortation. “You go daddy!” Especially in the areas where my father may fall short, the last thing I desire to do is to cut him down. I would much rather choose words which may build him up.

In the same way, if I had an earthly brother, (which I do not,) I cannot imagine wanting to cut him to pieces with an unfeeling rebuke. No, I would much rather caringly choose words which would encourage – as Jesus would.

Older women, as mothers…younger women, as sisters…the instruction is basically all the same, and with the same heart. This is the heart of Jesus for the FAMILY of God. His family. It’s His way – and He IS the way.

   -  Pastor Bill