Daily Scripture Threshing for Monday, August 15, 2022
Today’s Text: 1 Timothy 5:17-25
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV): “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”
Perhaps, we have all heard that “It is good to give honor to the one to whom honor is due.” We have also heard that all honor belongs to God alone. Are these in conflict? How do we understand today’s text in the light of Revelation 5:13 which tells us that “To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever.” Just what does it mean to give honor to those to whom it is due? Why do Christians honor elders? Is any human deserving of honor, and why? And, who are those deserving of honor, and why is it due to them?
First, to honor anyone in this text or overall biblical context is to accord special respectful attention to a person who merits it because he or she serves God’s purpose. The honor goes only to elders who serve the course of Christ well. Serving well includes all the prescriptions of the life, discipline, and carriage of genuine presbyters that live as examples of the believer among us. If we must borrow a cue from the pattern of honor in reference to Christ, we can understand that no one takes divine, godly, or Christian honor upon himself. The church’s pattern of honor must always flow with reference to Christ.
Before the appointment of elders in Ephesus, and before the appointment of deacons in Jerusalem, the organization of believers was regarded as defective and disorderly. And as long as there are good presbyterates, good qualities are evinced; affectionateness, fidelity, diligence, faith, impartiality, dependence upon Divine grace, and character are exemplified. These are the pattern of biblical elders to be counted worthy, not just of honor, but of double honor. What sort of elders have we today?
Unfortunately, most would rather wish to rule and take charge for the sake of the honor or just for being in charge while having no regard for the Word of God. God, however, wants us to know that it is an honor by itself to be counted worthy as an elder; and it is another honor (a double honor) to do it well in keeping with the character of Christ.
Quote for the Day: “Christian honor is neither a title nor an entitlement. It goes to those who serve the cause of Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, please free me from doing anything for the approval of men, or out of fear of them, or to gain power over people, or honor them. O help me not to work for their praise, honor, or gain. Let me serve You and not mere men. Let me only serve them because I serve You. Give me the grace to do all things as unto You, and for Your praise and glory — in Jesus’ name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]
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Thanks for sharing sir.