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IF GOD SAYS YOU'RE QUALIFIED, YOU ARE!
'Don't let anyone think less of you?' 1 Timothy 4:12
You shouldn't be overlooked because of your age, your gender, your nationality, your education or your financial status. That's not the way that things work in God's Kingdom. Take the example of Timothy, in the New Testament. Timothy started preaching in his teens. He became Paul's travelling companion, which was no small honour. But in those days, society said you didn't come into maturity until you were thirty, so Timothy wasn?t seen as being qualified for leadership. Since Timothy was facing flak for this, Paul wrote to him, saying, 'Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young.'
With God, it's not the length of your life that qualifies you to serve Him, but the depth of it. Look at Timothy's credentials! 'From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures' (2Timothy 3:15 NKJV). Timothy had spent lots of time with God and was grounded in the truth. 'I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.' (2Timothy 1:5 NIV). So Paul writes to the Philippian church and says: 'I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you.
Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's been a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message.' (Philippians 2:19-22 MSG). The right to work in God's service doesn't come from your age: it comes by your experience with God, your growth in grace, and learning from His Word.
What now? Read either 1 or 2 Timothy (or both, if you're hardcore like that.) Highlight or re-write the verses that stand out as most important to your situation.
written by Bob Gass
'Don't let anyone think less of you?' 1 Timothy 4:12
You shouldn't be overlooked because of your age, your gender, your nationality, your education or your financial status. That's not the way that things work in God's Kingdom. Take the example of Timothy, in the New Testament. Timothy started preaching in his teens. He became Paul's travelling companion, which was no small honour. But in those days, society said you didn't come into maturity until you were thirty, so Timothy wasn?t seen as being qualified for leadership. Since Timothy was facing flak for this, Paul wrote to him, saying, 'Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young.'
With God, it's not the length of your life that qualifies you to serve Him, but the depth of it. Look at Timothy's credentials! 'From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures' (2Timothy 3:15 NKJV). Timothy had spent lots of time with God and was grounded in the truth. 'I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.' (2Timothy 1:5 NIV). So Paul writes to the Philippian church and says: 'I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you.
Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's been a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message.' (Philippians 2:19-22 MSG). The right to work in God's service doesn't come from your age: it comes by your experience with God, your growth in grace, and learning from His Word.
What now? Read either 1 or 2 Timothy (or both, if you're hardcore like that.) Highlight or re-write the verses that stand out as most important to your situation.
written by Bob Gass
