1 Timothy 5:1-2-Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
We’re living in a day and time when communication skills are suffering. Due to the overwhelming amount of social media we are exposed to and the numerous devices we have, we spend less time communicating with others. Then, when we do talk to one another, we seem to not know how to do it with love. Paul addressed this issue with Timothy.
Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 NKJV
Paul told Timothy that as a young man, he should watch his tone when he speaks with an older man or woman. Actually, Paul told Timothy that when he speaks with an older man or woman, speak to them as if he was speaking to his parents. In other words, Paul was encouraging Timothy to show the elder members of his congregation the respect due them.
Paul wanted Timothy to understand that while he was indeed the pastor, the head of the local assembly, wisdom was the way to lead. Rebuking older people, throwing his title at them, throwing his weight around, and disrespecting them was not okay. This applied not only to Timothy, as a pastor, but it applies to all church leaders and members. We need to be mindful of the way in which we talk to one another. All the time! It doesn’t mean that we can’t be friendly, (I’m very friendly with a lot of people I address with a title), it just means that we choose to show them the respect due them.
Paul also told Timothy to speak with younger men and women as if he was speaking with his siblings. For some of us, that’s not very helpful! But the point of the analogy is to help us to understand that in any healthy relationship, there must be healthy communication. In the body of Christ, we must learn how to get along and how to show each other respect, even when we disagree.
Then Paul addresses his concern for the widows in the church.
Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
1 Timothy 5:3-4 NKJV
In the time of this writing, Paul understood that women had no way of making a living. They relied heavily on their husbands for their livelihood. This presented a problem when the husband died and left his wife without protection and care. Paul instructs Timothy on the church’s responsiblity for widows. This is not the case today. Most women are capable of making a good income and even have retirement plans. But there is still a lesson for us in this letter.
Paul states that children and grandchildren should be the first to provide for widows and elderly parents as a way of repaying them for the care they received from their parents. Again, this can be sticky for some of us! But it is applicable to all of us! Even if we choose an assisted living facility for our elderly loved ones, we should not forget about them as we go on with our lives. If we are unable to provide for them ourselves by having them live with us, then we should at least make sure they are well taken care of in a facility, while visiting them often.
Lastly, Paul addresses the care of the pastor and the need to compensate them.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18 NKJV
I believe most people will agree that pastors need to be taken care of financially. They have families and bills just like every church member. However, they have surrendered to the call of God to serve Him and His church in ministry. It’s hard enough to be a pastor, but a working pastor who goes to work at another job outside of the church is not able to fully serve the congregants. Therefore, to keep them healthy, their family with shelter, food, and clothing means they need income. And the church is to provide that income! Do they need to make a salary commiserate with a celebrity? No! But they also shouldn’t be living in poverty.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month! What a wonderful opportunity to honor pastors! Hopefully, most pastors are well taken care of, but we know that not all of them are. So October is a gentle nudge to remember our pastors and show them some appreciation. And if there are other ministers and leaders in your church who have blessed your life, throw some appreciation their way. Anytime is a good time to let someone know they have encouraged you, or God has used them in your life.
I enjoyed this chapter because it is so very applicable to our lives today. As believers, we need to watch our tone when we talk with one another. We need to speak the truth in love and treat people with the same respect that we want to receives. We also needed a reminder that our elderly community should not be forgotten. Who can you take a meal to, or spend a little time with to encourage them? Lastly, pastors and church leaders work hard to provide ministry to the church. We should let them know they are appreciated, but we should also compensate them for their time and efforts on our behalf. Be blessed! Wonderful Jesus!
Wonderful Jesus! 