As Paul instructs Timothy how to conduct himself in regards to dealing with other people in the church we find life applications for everyday living.
Always show respect to people who are older than you. Paul did not give Timothy rules on which elders should be respected but he said “Never speak harshly to an older man but appeal to him respectfully”. Why, because he knew for Timothy to gain respect he would have to show it.
Next he instructs him to take care of the elderly who have no one else to take care of them but if they have family who are capable of taking care of them then they should do so before the church does. In verse eight Paul said, “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” He also told Timothy the age of the widow makes a difference how you care for them. The younger ones should be encouraged to remarry while the older ones should supported by the church.
The next one has importance to me because I have been there for which I am grateful because it also helps me understand the importance of giving. Verse seventeen, “Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.” Notice Paul didn’t say “only those who both preach and teach”. I have seen too many times the church that expects services provide for free and I am fully aware that non-believers have noticed also. As one who served the church for many years above beyond the level of volunteer, as one who has worked for the church providing installation and professional advice for their A/V needs, as a professional engineering consultant, and being in contact with others who do the same things I can tell you too many churches have a bad reputation for taking advantage of people when it comes to financial obligations. It should be made known not all churches are this way but so many are that all but an elite few are looked upon in a bad light. Being responsible with the finances you are given is a big job and not to be taken lightly but not paying what you owe just because you can hurts in ways unseen.
How many like to be the subject of other people’s conversations, accused without the opportunity to explain or defend your position? It is no fun, feelings get hurt, and friendships broken. For this reason Paul instructs not to believe an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. And I would say if it is confirmed by many you should go to that person first and present them with the news you received and provide them the opportunity to explain. Only then can it be confirmed by you and once you have done this and the person should but refuses to repent then they must be brought before the church for the purpose of all knowing. How many times has an elder done something wrong only to be covered up by the leaders of the church so that the church will not lose members or their support? I just heard it in the news this past week, again it doesn’t take many bad apples to make the whole cart bad. Paul goes on to say, “Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” Don’t make hasty decisions but pray about everything, sometimes the wrong decision can be worse than not making a decision at all.
Next comes a dividing line within the church. Paul tells Timothy not to drink only water but a little wine for the sake of his health. When the church is asked about this they are quick to point out that Timothy was sick often and the wine helped settle his stomach also the water at that time and place was not clean and healthy like the tap water we have today. Well there is no way of proving that the water Timothy was drinking was bad or not but here is the question I lay on the table. If drinking wine is a sin would Paul have Timothy sin in order maintain health in his body?
Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
(Ephesians 5:17-19 NLT)
Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to get drunk but does not say don’t drink. People call drinking alcohol a sin because they’ve seen what drunken people do and because the drinking leads to drunkenness they are one in the same but I’m not sure that is how God sees it. The sin comes whenever we give up the control we are to have over our own being and that is true with anger, drugs, alcohol, and many, many other things. We know anger is not a sin in itself because the Bible tells us Jesus was angry, look at John 11:33-38 and Matthew 21:12. Ephesians 4:26 tells us not to sin by letting anger control you. It is made clear it is not anger that is a sin but the act of letting it control you is the actual sin. The easiest way to make sure you never sin in this area is simply never get angry but is that what God intended? Each person who loves God has to do what they believe is right and they will only know that by reading the Bible, praying, and being sensitive to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. Still many make judgments without doing these things first. This is right and true it is a sin to call something a sin and it not be a sin. Though intentions maybe good those who do this are missing the mark. If God has called you not to drink wine or eat meat then you should not do that but don’t condemn others because they do. I personally can’t get past the thought of the animal that has an endless supply of green pastures as far as the eye can see but spends all of it’s time pushing up against the fence that defines where it should not go.
Lastly, Paul reminds Timothy the sins of some are obvious but the sins of others will not be revealed until a later time. The same is true with good deeds, which leads us to not judge others for only God knows the heart.
