Kent

As humans, we tend to be envious of others who seem to have more of the "flashy things" of life. We tend to forget that we should learn to be content with those things we have, and especially the love of God and our families. We see too many commercials on TV that lead many to believe that they simply can't be happy without a newer, bigger car, house, lots of "toys" to play with on the weekends. To escape the traps we need to remember the teachings of Jesus and Paul and Timothy, and many others. While we can strive to become better at the work we do, we should also strive to be content with our family and with the love we know God wraps around us every day.

While we can strive to improve our lot by continuing education or training for better work positions, we should also learn to accept our lives as they are, allowing ourselves to be happy in our current state too. If we are happy with ourselves, happy with our families, and happy with our friends, we can be "content" with our present condition. But we can also look for improvement in our abilities, and, perhaps, a higher salary would follow. But if it doesn't, we can still improve our work skills so that we can do a better job, or work more efficiently, etc.

I think we are tempted by some of these false expectations about wealth because we are a little too greedy, and the thoughts of easy gain appeal to that nature in us. We have gotten to the point where we are no longer satisfied to have the basic necessities. In truth, God has promised to fill our needs, and we should learn to accept His Word. But we should remember that it is our "needs" that will be fulfilled, not our greedy expactations.

At the time, slavery was legal within the Roman society. Some slaves were already Christians as were some of the masters. Paul says that the Christian slaves should serve their masters as well as they can, and not try to "slack off" by taking advantage of both being Christians. Likewise he tells the Christian slaves to serve their non-believing masters well. In both cases, he says that such good performance of their duties will display good Christian lives and values.

Members and leaders of a congregation need to really know those they are putting into positions of leadership. Waiting a little while to get to know them would serve them well.

Q3. (1 Timothy 5:19-21) Why was it necessary to make formal accusations and "try" the false teachers? Why were the temptations to compromise and not go through with it so great? Why is it so difficult to exercise church discipline today? Making a formal accusation was to involve several witnesses, not just one, so that there wouldn't be matters charged just because of one unhappy person. Also when done out in the open everyone else can see what is going on, and why. It is tempting to compromise when it may involve someone who provides substantial financial backing for the church, etc. That is also partly the reason for an unwillingness to excercise discipline today. We are afraid to hurt others' feelings, or afraid of confronting someone, or something, that is wrong.

Paul points out that elders who are teaching and preaching in the church are worthy of being paid for their services. He explains by comparing their duties to those of the priests in the Old Testament who were to be supported by their members.

Paul reminds Timothy that we have an obligation to care for our elders according to their needs. We should be happy to care for them as they had earlier cared for us when we were younger, and likely sacrificed many things to provide for us. Those who refuse to care for such as these is compared to "unbelievers."

If all one does is strive to obey a strict set of rules and laws, one loses sight of the bogger picture, that of caring for others, and helping others in their daily walk. Strict adherence to a rigid doctrine won't allow time for the little kindnesses we should also be sharing with those around us.

For me, "godliness" is striving to emulate the life of Christ. We should strive to serve others, to help those less fortunate, to comfort those in need of it. We can try to achieve some measure of godliness by taking the teachings of Jesus into our heart and minds, and letting our hearts and hands do His work. Those who try to achieve "godliness" by a strict morality are really just trying to prove to others that they are better. If we live in a godly manner, we don't need to make a big show of it. Our lives and actions will be apparent to others.

It made some people think they were better than others.

Paul wants Timothy to be aware and prepared for what he will (or may) find at Ephesus when he gets there. Paul reminds him that it was prophesied, and that there will be those who are leading others away from the true message of Christ.

I think deacons were more involved in administrative matters of the church, and the elders more towards the instructive, teaching, pastoring the congregation.

Church leaders need to be temperate, and able to remain calm and caring so that they can care for their members. People will come to them with a wide variety of problems and questions. A good leader must be able to view such problems from both sides of an issue to better understand how to help.

Someone who is going to be in a leadership role should first be active in the church for some time, practicing the good attributes of a true Christian leader.