Show yourself as an example of those who believe

  Good morning. Paul then tells Timothy to be absorbed in the things that he told him to do last time, such as show himself as an example of those who believe. He then gives Timothy some instructions about the way to treat older people in the church, including taking care of widows. The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. That does not mean give them a plaque and say gracious words about them. We know that because he says that the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. In the church today, we have two extremes: on the one hand we have people who constantly criticize everything that is done by someone in authority in the church. On the other, we have the situation where anybody who has an objection to something done by someone in authority in the church is considered an outcast and is silenced. That is why he says you need two or three witnesses. In the second case, people are afraid to say anything negative about what is done in the church. I remember an instance in a church where a woman said she was leaving because of something that was being done in the church, but she would not reveal what it was. I dismissed it as being sour grapes. Several years later I found out that certain things were being done in the church that were not acceptable. Who knows, perhaps that was what she was talking about. Father help us to know when to speak up and when to keep silent.

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