Everybody Needs Self-Control

Reading:  Titus 2:1-10
    
    As Titus works with a variety of people in the Cretan churches, Paul gives tips on what lessons he needs to emphasize.  “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine”(Titus 2:1).  Sound (healthy) teaching addresses all the various age and gender groups within the congregation.  Each verse here contains a nutshell picture of Paul’s vision for what each group should be.  “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.  They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women”(Titus 2:2-4).  The older generations lead the way for the younger by their examples of discipline, dignity, and devotion to God.  Older women also directly “teach” and “train” the younger women the aspects of the faith unique to them.

    Younger Christians follow this lead.  “and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.  Likewise urge the younger men to be self-controlled”(Titus 2:4-6).  Older women guide the younger women regarding their work in the home.  Interestingly, younger men are given only the instruction to be self-controlled (perhaps implying that this is their most significant and difficult battle).  Titus himself must become “a model of good works”(Titus 2:7) in both his personal life and his teaching.   Even servants, by their disposition and treatment of their masters, “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior”(Titus 2:10).

    What is notable to me here is that everybody needs self-control.  Older men need it (v. 2).  Older women need it (v. 3).  Young women need it (v. 5).  Young men need it (v. 6).  As Paul surveys these churches and contemplates their status in their community, he views self-control as an urgent need.  Christians must learn to restrain themselves, saying no to evil (and to ourselves) and yes to good.  Self-control applies our faith to our use of substances, our patience with others, our impulses (sexual and otherwise), and our ability to wait patiently for better things.  We are not exempt; everybody needs self-control.

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One Thing to Think About: How will I develop self-control today?

One Thing to Pray For:  Healthy teaching so that I can grow
 

Cretans and Culture

Reading:  Titus 1:10-16
    
    Paul has left Titus in Crete, in part to appoint elders to counteract the dangerous spiritual climate there.  “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.  They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach”(Titus 1:10-11).  It sounds as though there is a Jewish contingent within the church (“the circumcision party”) that is focusing on “Jewish myths”(Titus 1:14) and “teaching for shameful gain”(Titus 1:11).  Their attitude (“insubordinate”) and teaching are contagious and creating significant problems within the group.

    In passing, Paul makes an intriguing comment about Cretan culture.  “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’  This testimony is true.  Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith”(Titus 1:12-13).  Paul is certainly exaggerating (not all Cretans are evil, lazy liars), yet he is making an important statement about the culture on Crete.  Cultures have an impact on our faith.  He is concerned that the Cretans will continue in old patterns of living and thinking rather than being “sound in the faith.”  He then comments to Titus about the “empty talkers” :  “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.  They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.  They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work”(Titus 1:15-16).  There are certain types of people who manage to defile even good things.  We know them not by their professions, but their actions.  Titus will need this type of discernment as he deals with the insubordinate on Crete.

    If culture has an impact on faith, honesty demands that we ask some tough questions.  Paul has harsh words for Cretan culture.  What would Paul say about American culture?  What would he tell modern ministers to “rebuke sharply”?  Is it possible that we are blind to the impact materialism, sexualization, consumerism, and selfishness are having on our faith?  Are we as loyal to Jesus as we are to our culture?

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One Thing to Think About: How has my culture rubbed off on me?

One Thing to Pray For:  Discernment to see what God approves and disapproves in my time
 

Why We Need Elders

Reading:  Titus 1:1-9
    
    Just as Paul left Timothy in Ephesus, so he has now left Titus on the island of Crete to minister to the Christians there.  “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you”(Titus 1:5).  “What remained” is better translated “the things that are lacking”(NKJV) or “what was left unfinished”(NIV).  Something is missing because churches on Crete lack elders.  Fixing the problem will involve Titus “(appointing) elders in every town.”  Paul is concerned about these churches moving forward without proper elderships.

    But why do churches need elders?  Paul sketches qualifications that are very similar to those he gives Timothy (1 Tim 3:1-7) but adds a touch more explanation.  “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it”(Titus 1:9).  Elders must know and hold to “the trustworthy word” because they need to be prepared to “give instruction in sound doctrine.”  Elders are teachers.  They must give other Christians teaching that is healthy and proper.  They will also “rebuke those who contradict it,” defending what they are teaching and correcting false beliefs.  Paul has grave concerns about “insubordinate” people who are “empty talkers and deceivers”(Titus 1:10) troubling the Christians on Crete.  He says ominously that “they must be silenced”(Titus 1:11), yet he does not expect Titus to do this.  This is a job for elders.

    When churches do not have elders, something is lacking.  We need qualified elders to be examples, shepherds, and wise decision makers.  These qualifications make clear that they are men of integrity and proven character.  Yet we also need them to provide and insist on appropriate Christian teaching, even in the face of opposition.

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One Thing to Think About: Do I appreciate and honor the elders I serve under?

One Thing to Pray For:  Wisdom for our elders
 

Rich in Good Works

Reading:  1 Timothy 6:11-21
    
    Paul has been discussing people who have a “craving for controversy,” discontent and seeking to become rich.  “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness”(1 Tim 6:11).  Timothy should be different.  He must “flee” such twisted motivations and “pursue” faith and love and kindness.  Honoring God with our lives involves running away from certain things, but it also involves diligently seeking after things that are good and noble.  The daily choices we make to flee and pursue determine who we become.

    As Paul winds down his letter, he urges Timothy to keep teaching (“fight the good fight of faith,” 6:12, and “charge them,” 6:17) and remember that he will be judged by “the King of kings and Lord of lords”(1 Tim 6:15).   He has a specific lesson he wants Timothy to teach:  “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life”(1 Tim 6:17-19).  He has warned about the “desire to be rich”(1 Tim 6:9) and now addresses those who are already rich.  There are right ways to view and use wealth.  Money is unworthy of our hopes; it is God (not money) that provides what we need.  Money is not good in itself, but is an opportunity to “do good.”  True riches are held by those who are “rich in good works.”  Especially does he want wealthy people to share and do good with what they have been given because they are confident greater riches are in the age to come.

    With the desire to be rich usually comes the hope that we will spend our wealth on ourselves.  We long to indulge our cravings, sleep securely without fear, and face the obstacles of life with more buying power.  We rarely question the deep selfishness in these desires.  Whatever measure of wealth we have been given, we can use our money to bless others and lay up treasure in heaven.

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One Thing to Think About: Am I “generous and ready to share”?

One Thing to Pray For:  The wisdom to flee evil and pursue righteousness today
 

The Desire to Be Rich

Reading:  1 Timothy 6:1-10
    
    The thread of contentment runs through these verses.  Paul wants Christian slaves to continue to honor their masters (1 Tim 6:1) and “serve all the better”(1 Tim 6:2) if they learn their masters are fellow believers.  Their state might not be ideal, but they can faithfully serve Jesus where they are.  He then profiles the type of person Timothy might encounter as an opponent:  “he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.  He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain”(1 Tim 6:4-5).  Some oppose the gospel because they are “puffed up with conceit,” proudly declaring that they know more than Jesus can teach them.  Some oppose the gospel because they have a “craving for controversy and quarrels about words”; they just love to fight.  Some twist the gospel because they believe “godliness is a means of gain.”  None are content to live quiet, faithful lives in submission to Jesus.

    But the restlessness that seeks wealth is Paul’s gravest concern here.  “Godliness with contentment is great gain”(1 Tim 6:6).  If we can live rightly—and be content with that—then we have found something immensely valuable.  “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction…it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs”(1 Tim 6:9, 10).  The desire to be rich is not restricted to rich people; many poor people suffer from it.   Though we often think that there is no harm in wanting a little more, Paul warns that this desire is remarkably destructive and painful.  It is a craving that pierces us with many pangs and leads us away from Jesus.

    The risk here is for us to mistakenly conclude that this passage does not apply to us if we are not uber-wealthy.  Hungering for money leads to us compromising our convictions, alienating our friends and family, violating the law, and living in continual discontentment.  Worst, it makes us believe that “godliness with contentment” is not enough.

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One Thing to Think About: Am I content right where I am?

One Thing to Pray For:  A balanced and appropriate view of money