Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Verses chosen for devotion:
“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
1 Timothy 3:4-5 ESV
Reflect
The passage of 1 Timothy 3:1-13 highlights all the characters and qualities Paul instructed that a church leader should possess. Among them are being faithful to spouse, having the ability to teach, being gentle and not greedy. Paul also said that a church leader should know how to manage his or her household well to be able to care for the church well.
This instruction is of no surprise as even in politics politicians are expected to manage their household well and they are constantly scrutinised over their family affairs, and are closely watched. After all if a politician cannot manage his or her own family how can he or she be entrusted with the leadership of a country?
Relate
As a church leader I often remind myself of the importance of my family and how this affects my ministry in the church. It is important to first build a family that is surrounded by love before I can go out to spread this same love of Christ to others. I have to be faithful to my wife and my children before endeavouring to do the same to others. I have to be patient and gentle to my family before others could believe that the same act of kindness can be extended to them. Likewise I need to teach my children to do good before I teach others to do likewise. All this makes perfect sense because if I can’t do all these with my own family, how will I be able to do the same with others? Furthermore if a church leader is busy fire fighting in his or her own home, how will he or she be able to convince others under the leadership? And I always believe that a peaceful, loving and supportive family puts my mind at ease to serve in the church, because I know my family is well taken care of.
But in this world that is full of pressure, competition and high expectation we often fail to be a good spiritual leader at home. At times we can be very temperamental and unkind with our words towards our family. That could cause chaos in the family and cause others that we lead to doubt and fumble in their faith. I have personally known of leaders who have estranged relationships with their spouses. Though we are not in the position to judge others in their family matters but sadly such incidences could cause others to trip and fall. Hence Paul in v4 and v5 urged church leaders to first manage their own families well before managing the church affairs to avoid dire consequences of causing others to fumble.
To me personally, this is not just about preparing myself to manage church affairs but witnessing begins at home. If a child sees an unloving father at home while the same person preaches love in church, what will happen? I do not wish my family to see my double standard at home and in church. I pray that God will grant me strength in Christ Jesus to fulfil this duty as a leader in the family and in the church, with the same standard of christlikeness.
Rest
Grant me Your strength O Lord,
And teach me Your decree
Do not let me fall for Your hands will save me
Let me be the same person you want me to be at home and in church
In Jesus name I ask, Amen
Alan
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