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22 September 2008
Word on the Web
1 Timothy 5:17-21
The elders who lead the church well should receive double honour, especially those who work hard by speaking and teaching, because the Scripture says: "When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating," and "A worker should be given his pay."
Do not listen to someone who accuses an elder, without two or three witnesses. Tell those who continue sinning that they are wrong. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will have a warning.
Before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, I command you to do these things without showing favour of any kind to anyone.
Church leaders have a tough job. They can never please everyone, but then pleasing everyone is not really what leadership is about anyway. Today's reading tells us that leaders deserve support and respect ('double honour') and it challenges us to think about how we respond when we hear criticism of those in authority.
Timothy was a young leader in the Church. Here Paul is telling him what to do when people come complaining about other leaders ('elders'). The first thing he says is don't listen to gossip and rumour, but only listen if there are two or three witnesses. One reason Paul gave this advice was to protect leaders from those who were cross because they didn't get their own way or who were disappointed because they weren't allowed to do whatever particular thing they wanted to do in the church. Sometimes those who haven't got their own way do fall out with their leaders and start undermining them through gossip and false accusations.
The trouble is most of us like to be in the know, to have a bit of inside information we can share with our friends. So when we hear a juicy story about someone we are interested. Before we know it we can be spreading half truths and gossip with no idea of the consequences. Next time you hear something negative about someone try to remember this warning. Not every rumour or negative story is true.
Lord when gossip is around and I am tempted to listen, and when I'm tempted to tell others what I have heard, help me to stop and think. May my words today be full or love and truth, not gossip and hearsay. Amen
Written by David Booker D J Booker
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
Word on the Web
1 Timothy 5:17-21
The elders who lead the church well should receive double honour, especially those who work hard by speaking and teaching, because the Scripture says: "When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating," and "A worker should be given his pay."
Do not listen to someone who accuses an elder, without two or three witnesses. Tell those who continue sinning that they are wrong. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will have a warning.
Before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, I command you to do these things without showing favour of any kind to anyone.
Church leaders have a tough job. They can never please everyone, but then pleasing everyone is not really what leadership is about anyway. Today's reading tells us that leaders deserve support and respect ('double honour') and it challenges us to think about how we respond when we hear criticism of those in authority.
Timothy was a young leader in the Church. Here Paul is telling him what to do when people come complaining about other leaders ('elders'). The first thing he says is don't listen to gossip and rumour, but only listen if there are two or three witnesses. One reason Paul gave this advice was to protect leaders from those who were cross because they didn't get their own way or who were disappointed because they weren't allowed to do whatever particular thing they wanted to do in the church. Sometimes those who haven't got their own way do fall out with their leaders and start undermining them through gossip and false accusations.
The trouble is most of us like to be in the know, to have a bit of inside information we can share with our friends. So when we hear a juicy story about someone we are interested. Before we know it we can be spreading half truths and gossip with no idea of the consequences. Next time you hear something negative about someone try to remember this warning. Not every rumour or negative story is true.
Lord when gossip is around and I am tempted to listen, and when I'm tempted to tell others what I have heard, help me to stop and think. May my words today be full or love and truth, not gossip and hearsay. Amen
Written by David Booker D J Booker
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
