When it comes to the case of
a person having certain qualifications to be an overseer or bishop
within a church, Paul the apostle was an expert. As we study the book
of Titus we see the desire of Paul for those who would be in
leadership within the church of Crete. From our former studies, we
have learned that Titus may have had his work cut out for him as
those in Crete did not have a good reputation. Although this may be
true, we know that God is able to take the vilest person and make a
leader over the church with him. We join Paul in more of his
qualifications in chapter one and verse seven where he wrote:
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of
God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker,
not given to filthy lucre;
Once again Paul emphasizes
that “a bishop must be blameless” and he adds, “as
the steward of God;” One who oversees the church must be a
person of good reputation otherwise his effectiveness is nil or
nothing. Although no one is perfect, there must not be an overt or
blatant disregard for God's ways. Paul also adds that this person
must understand that he is God's steward. In other words he does not
own any of the church. Sometimes when a person becomes an elder pride
can enter in, and there is a sense of entitlement that is expected
because this person is in leadership. Paul wants to guard against
this by knowing that they are only a “steward of God”.
Next Paul adds, “not
selfwilled” or self-pleasing or arrogant. Men who pastor, oversee
or sit as elders must not have a prideful spirit. Too many times a
pulpit has become nothing more than an extension of a man's ego
rather than as one who serves others. To be qualified as a bishop or
elder, a man must be of a humble spirit and be willing to sacrifice
his own desires to serve others. Otherwise they do not meet the
standards.
In addition to being
blameless, as the steward of God and not self-willed, an elder must
be “not soon angry.” In other words there is no room for
temper tantrums as a leader over the church. If a man is prone to
quick outbursts and inharmonious actions, he should not be an
overseer. Many people have been hurt in the church by leadership who
lash out in anger, and rather than receiving a compassionate
overseer, they encounter an angry ruler. Who wants one of those?
Paul adds, “not given
to wine” or in other words a drunkard. Proverbs chapter twenty
and verse one gives a special warning to those who would be given to
wine and strong drink:
Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and
whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Wine can cloud the judgment,
and whenever a person is leading, it is imperative that they lead
with an excellent mind rather than a foggy one.
Paul continues, “not a
striker”. The leadership of the church must not go around
hitting people all the time. Can we imagine what would happen if
pastors started hitting their followers? This would be an outrage,
and as it relates to anger, a man must not be one that is ready to
beat someone up who doesn't measure up to his standards.
Finally Paul concludes this
verse with, “not given to filthy lucre.” This means that
he must not be a person who is greedy for money. Money is not evil in
itself, but as Paul wrote in First Timothy chapter six and verse ten:
For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It is the love of money
wherein the danger lie. The man who is greedy for money may be the
participant in scandal and extortion, and this brings a reproach upon
not only the man, but also upon the parishioners over which he
oversees.
So there we have more of
these traits for elders, but the list is worth our personal
consideration as well. Are we blameless, as the steward of God; not
selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given
to filthy lucre;? And if we were examined for these traits would
others find them in our lives? Today is a great day to consider just
where we align with the qualifications of a bishop, and ask the Lord
Jesus to fill us with His Spirit that we may live in this manner
before others.
Next time we will continue
to list the qualifications of an elder, so read ahead, and we shall
join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is
more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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