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Today I would like to at the means to great gain from the Word of God in I Timothy 6. It is often said that Christianity is not a religion that brings profit. However in today’s passage it talks about the means to great gain. In other words in Christianity too there is profit. However this profit does not mean that it is a guarantee that there will be no sickness or disasters or that the whole family can live safely. Nor does it mean that business will prosper. What is called profit in Christianity is rather to believe that God works all things for the good and you can receive with thanksgiving all that God gives. That is “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (6) This is real profit or gain, isn’t it?  A famous evangelist, Takimoto Akira, published a book entitled “There is no place that has this huge of a profit”. Truly there is no other place that has this huge of a profit or gain. This is truly the means “to great gain” (6) Today I want to talk about the “means”. (5)

1. Respect your master (Vs. 1 & 2)

First, I would like to look at the profits you receive by serving your masters at work. Please look at verses 1 and 2. “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.  Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers.  Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.  These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.”

“All who are under the yoke of slavery” (1) are Christians that are working for non-Christian masters. At that time half of the Roman society was slaves. Surprisingly the Gospel permeated even among these slaves too and many became believers. This is teaching the Christian slaves that believed how they should serve their unbelieving masters. Here it says, “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect.” (1) Even if your employer is an unbeliever, you should fully respect your boss. The reason is “so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.” (1) According to Romans 13 all order and authorities in society are ordained by God.  Even if your boss is an unbeliever, you must recognize that his position and authority was ordained by God, rejoice, and obey him. By doing that God’s name will honored. How Christians serve at work is the greatest testimony of faith. If a Christian is seen working seriously and earnestly he gives a good impression、then that is in and of itself a wonderful testimony

The greatest preacher of the 20^th century, Lloyd-Jones, said that Christians by being Christian automatically influence society.  Christians by serving as a Christian in the work place in and of itself is a testimony and makes a huge influence.

I read the testimony of Rev. Ari from Simon’s original church、J’ｓTable Christian church. I was interested how Rev. Ari who was born and brought up in Iran as a Moslem became a Christian.

After Rev. Ari graduated from High School, he entered the army. There he met an Armenian soldier. On the battle field even if you are friends each person is earnest to survive so you think only about yourself. It’s a self-centered world. However, the Armenian was different. He gave his belongings to people who needed it.  Moreover, not reluctantly, but he looked like he was joyfully giving. Also not only things, but he also showed concern for others. Even at the battlefield which is a severe environment and in an ill afford situation, it looked like he listened to what everyone was saying, and did whatever he could do the best he could.

Rev. Ari thought that was not usual. He was different from any person that Rev. Ari had ever met. Rev. Ari wanted to know where his power came from and how he could do the things he did. Rev. Ari finally found the courage to ask him.

He kindly answered that he was a Christian and so it was not his strength. He could do it because he believes in the God of the Bible.  In other words, it is by the power of Jesus Christ.

Honestly, when Rev. Ari heard this he was disappointed. He had already given up on god and religion. He thought he didn’t want to have any contact with such things again.  However, he couldn’t ignore this power that the Armenian had. Then he met Jesus Christ and became a Christ. That’s because he wanted to become like the Armenian. The Armenian soldier’s presence in and of itself led Rev. Ari to salvation.

The Armenian soldier’s presence influenced a Moslem to convert. By Christians fully respecting their bosses at their work, God’s name will be honored.

In verse 2, next it teaches about how a person should serve his believing master. It says, “Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers.  Instead, they are to serve them even better.” (2) In the case of your boss being a Christian a mistake that is easy to fall into is developing too cozy of a relationship, and conduct yourself at ease, and tend to not give the other person the respect that he deserves. It is wonderful to have a relationship of brothers and sisters in Christ, but we must not forget our manners and be polite. That’s because love ”is not rude.” (I Cor. 13:5) We must think highly of our masters who are Christian brothers and “serve them even better.” (2)

The reason for doing so is stated after this. That is “because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.” (2) This means that by the Christian servant doing a good service or job the master who is also a Christian will benefit. For a brother in Christ to receive some benefit is for other brothers and sisters in Christ a huge joy. That’s because the love of the brothers and sisters in Christ pleases God. Also that too becomes a large allotment of benefits as a blessing that is returned to you.

1. To those who teach false doctrines (Vs. 3-5)

Next please look at verses 3 to 5. Here it says, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.  He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

Anyone who “teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching” (3) In other words, more than what is written in the Bible, they push their own thinking. They argue as if what they say is the truth, but it “does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching.” (3)

It talked about these “false doctrines” (3) also in 1:3. In the Ephesian church there were people who taught false doctrines and devoted “themselves to myths and endless genealogies.” (1:3) As a result the church became confused. Such teaching only causes “controversies rather than God’s work-which is by faith.” (1:4) Therefore, “have nothing to do with” (4:7) such people.

What are the characteristics of such people?

①                 They are “conceited”. (4) The Greek word for “conceited” (4) is very interesting.  It means “to be caught up in the smoke” or to be “infatuated”. When you are caught up smoke, you can’t see anything. You can’t see what’s around you.  A conceited person is in such a condition. A conceited person can’t see himself so even then he is egoistic and self-satisfied. Such people more than the teaching of the Bible, they value their own thinking.

②                 They understand nothing. This is to have no knowledge or no understanding. While they say they know “the law, but they do not know what they are talking about.” (1:7) Also, even when they hear God’s Word, they can’t understand. Even though if they would understand the Word of God correctly and accept it, then they would know how wonderful the Word of God is! However, their conceit is a barrier so they understand nothing. This vicious circle will be repeated over and over again forever.   

③                 They have “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words.” (4) This can be seen especially in people who have knowledge to some extent or have had such training, but nothing good comes out of it. It only results “in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction.” (4,5) Only negative results occur. Even though God’s family, the church, should be one of mind and co-operate for the salvation of people, the resulting situation is completely contrary to this goal. This is not the work of the Holy Spirit. This is truly a “spirit of deception”, the work of Satan. It undermines and corrodes the body of Christ, the church, a little at a time.

④                 They “think that godliness is a means to financial gain. (5) In other words, they are using religion as “a means to financial gain.” (5) They are thinking of trying to make money through Christianity. They demanded payment for their professional services. They wanted “financial gain” (5) so they fell ”into temptation and a trap” (9) and plunged “into ruin and destruction”. (9) They had once known the truth but because of their desire for financial gain they were “robbed of the truth”. (5) Their teaching became “a means to financial gain” (5) “rather than God’s work.” (1:4)

Therefore we must be very careful to not “abandon the faith and follow” (4:1) such teachers and teachings. We also must be careful that we ourselves don’t “fall into temptation” (9) to be become rich or have “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words.” (4) We also must be careful that that even though we study the Bible or have been a Christian for many years that we don’t become “conceited” (4) thinking that we know everything, when in reality we understand “nothing”. (4)  Let’s “flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” (11)

1. Godliness with contentment (Vs.6-10)

Next let’s look at what brings us great gain. Please look at verses 6 to 10. Verse 6 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

False teachers “think that godliness is a means to financial gain (5), but here it is saying that that is not so. It is not that if you believe in God, you will prosper or you will succeed, but it is really by “godliness with contentment” (6) that is the means to great gain. That means that the real means to having a great gain is to believe in God who saved us from our sin, be content with what God gives, and to live being thankful to God.

There is no other great gain except this. No matter how many of the things you want becomes yours, if you are not content thinking “I want more!” “More!” and only complain, then there will be no joy. There is no benefit.  However, if you are content with what God has given you, are joyful, and can be thankful, there is great gain. This is the kind of gain that the Bible talks about.

Why can Christians be content with and be thankful for what God has given them?

①           Because God loves us and gave his son for us that we might have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever has believed in him may not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

In the Bible it is written that whoever believes in God’s son Jesus Christ will have eternal life. Eternal life is a great gain! We all for less than 100 years on this earth study and work hard. 100 years and eternity are completely different. Rather they can’t be compared.  It is said that the first emperor of China because of his desired wish for perennial youth and long life, he promised to give those who looked for medicine for perennial youth and long life whatever they desired. He had them look throughout the world, but his wish was not granted. However, we through Jesus Christ have been given eternal life. There is no other god like Jesus.  Even if you search throughout the world, such a Savior cannot be found in any other religion. That is an awesome gain! The Christian faith doesn’t necessarily promise profit in this life, but it promises benefits in the next world. The next world is the world after death, heaven. Even if we die we will be given living eternal life.  It is not necessary to have mixed feeling of joy and sorrow about our life on this earth. We are able to be thankful for what God has given us.

②              Because we believe that God “who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all… along with him, graciously give us all things.” (Romans 8:32) In Romans 8:32 it says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

In other words, those who believe in Christ, not only have received God’s eternal life, but God also gives all things in creation that he has created. This is natural logically. That’s because all of creation was made by Christ and for Christ. God who gave us Christ, gives us all that was created by Christ. By believing in Christ and becoming one with Christ, we become joint heirs with Christ.

Psalms 84:11 says, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.”

God does not withhold good things. If it is good for you, then God will definitely give it to you. If something is withheld from you, then it is not good for you. God is going to give you something more important. God will give you everything that you need. God does not withhold good things “from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11) “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Christians know this so they can peacefully depend on God.  If you don’t know this you are always complaining that you don’t have this or that and are very nervous.

③              They “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) 　In Romans 8:28 it says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes.”

This is not on the level where you are given everything thing that you want. It is “for the good of those who love” (Romans 8:28) Christ. Even things that seem bad, God uses them “for the good”. (Romans 8:28)

One person that made a huge influence in the history of evangelism in Japan is Ayako Miura. Ayako Miura wrote “Shiokari Pass”　and other novels based upon faith.

When Ayako Miura got married, her husband, Mitsuo‘s, salary was very low. They were struggling so they opened a little store and began a business. They had an honest and kind business so the customers were increasing and increasing. Every day the truck would bring stock, but every day they sold out.

However, one day when her husband came home, he said worriedly that because of their shop, other shops were going out of business. Today the shop across the street closed.

When Ayako Miura heard that, her heart hurt. She thought that it was wrong for them to be putting other stores out of business. Therefore, from the next day on she started cutting down on the amount of stock she was buying and chose only a small amount of items to sell. When customers came to buy something they were out of, she would send the customers to a different store. As a result she had more time on her hands and could do reading and writing that she liked. She was able to enter the Asahi Newspaper Company Novel prize money contest that was seeking contestants at that time. The prize money was \10,000,000 which was in that age an exceptional amount of prize money. In this way the famous novel, “Freezing point”, was born.

In the midst of the problem of other stores going out of business because of their store the Miuras were troubled over what they should do.  In the end they made their store smaller so that other stores would not be effected. However, as a result it opened the door for Ayako Miura as a novelist.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) We believe in God’s concern for us.

Then even if we have a problem, it is not a problem anymore. If we don’t make a problem a problem then we should be able to easily solve it. That’s because we can peacefully put all in the hands of the Almighty God and we can work on the solution. All problems are in the hand of God who is the creator of creation. God is Almighty so there isn’t even one problem that God can’t solve.  All problems will be solved in God’s time and by God’s way. This is a great benefit, isn’t it? “Those who love” (Romans 8:28) have this great benefit!

Verse 7 and 8 say, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

This is the truth. We are born naked “and we can take nothing” (7) when we leave this world. I have thought as I have done funerals many times, no matter how much a person leaves on this earth, he “can take nothing” (7) with him. All becomes ashes.

Therefore, “if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (8) This is actually written as a command. It is “Be content with that.” You mustn’t complain. If you complain, you are breaking the command. We tend to look at what we don’t have and complain, but let’s look at what we have and be thankful. “If we have food and clothing” (8) let’s be content.

Even so, what happens to those who seek profit in this world and want more and more riches can be seen in verses 9 and 10.  Here it says, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

The end of such people is “ruin”. “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (10) “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” (9) Paul is saying here that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (9) Money in and of itself is not evil. The problem is “the love of money,” (9) or being controlled by money. There are some people for whom money is power. However, when you consider that such desires cause problems not only in the political world and financial world, but in various places of society, truly it is just as the Bible says. Therefore, what the Bible says is really the truth.

That is something that Christians must be careful about. Christians too by loving money “have wandered from the faith” (9) and caused grief not only to themselves, but to others too. As a fearful result, they fell into destruction. In other words, when you love money, money becomes everything and you begin serving money. However, we should love God and God should be everything and we should be serving God. We must love God, not money. What Christians aim for is not becoming rich, but being full of God. That is the means to great gain.

To do that let’s pray the prayer of Psalm 30:7 to 9. “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and dishonor the name of my God.”

“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and dishonor the name of my God.” (8, 9) Then let’s depend on God more and more, and receive that great gain. Truly “godliness with contentment” (6) is the “means to” (5) “great gain.” (6)

Paul from chapter 5 is stating how we should act towards various people in the church. In today’s passage it talks about how we should act towards “the elders”. (17) “The elders” (1) was a title in the first church that expressed the same duties as an overseer or pastor.  We looked in chapter 3 at how they were selected. They were respectable both in character and morally and served society in the church through Christ like living. Their duties were to teach and preach. Also they managed the work of charity and relief, visited the sick, and managed the affairs of the church as an overseer. Also by the Word of God encouraged, comforted, corrected and advised the believers to continue to stand firmly on the Gospel. Thus, they did the same work as the pastors of today. They were normally men of experience and maturity. The first church like the Jewish faith made respectable elderly elders. Here it says “the elders” (17) but they are the church leaders including the overseers, pastors. It is teaching us how we should be towards such people.

Double honor (Vs. 17 & 18)

First please look at verses 17 and 18. Verse 17 says, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor.” (17) Especially those elders “whose work is preaching and teaching” (17) were “worthy of double honor.” (17) That is because by the teaching of the Word of God our Christian life is determined. The most important thing in the church is the teaching of the Word of God. The elders “whose work is preaching and teaching” (17) and “who direct the affairs of the church well” (17) are valuable and “are worthy of double honor.” (17)

Some people say that Christians are a “priesthood of all believers”. They say that the pastor is not special. They are like Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the 250 Israelite men who opposed Moses saying, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3) However, in the “priesthood of all believers” which God has ordained everyone is not in the same position. Some are called to teach, others to follow. That doesn’t mean that someone is high-ranking. It is the order that God has given for the building up of the church. For that purpose God has given each person gifts “in accordance with the measure of faith (the gift) God has given” (Romans 12:3) him. Since “God has given,” (Romans 12:3) the gift comes from God, God is the source. Therefore there can be no basis for a superior attitude or self-righteousness. Often the church falls into confusion because it doesn’t realize this.  Such people oppose God’s blessings of order. It makes them miss God’s blessings for them. According to God’s order, it is saying that those “whose work is preaching and teaching” (17) are worthy of respect.

Here is says, “are worthy of double honor.” (17) It means that they are worthy of honorable respect and financial honorable support. That his honor should include financial support can be seen by the two illustrations that follow.

Verse 18 says, “For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’”

“Do not muzzle the ox while is treading out the grain” (18) is a quotation from the Old Testament from Deut. 25:4. Sometimes oxen were muzzled so they could not eat the grain while they were treading it into flour. The Mosaic Law, however, is teaching that the oxen labor for their owners so they should be given food to eat. That is a principle that is to be applied to pastors and elders too. The pastor is the same as an ox. He treads out the spiritual grain for the church. “Do not muzzle the” (18) pastor. The church should give the pastor wages so he can eat. In other words, more than for the ox the pastor must be honored and his needs provided. This Mosaic Law has greater weight when applied to Pastors rather than to oxen.

Then it says, “The worker deserves his wages.” (18) These words are quoted from Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7. It is only natural that those who work for the Lord should receive his wages.

That was the same in ancient Israel too. God picked the Levites from the 12 tribes of Israel to serve God full time. The way their lives were supported was they received the tithes from the other 11 tribes. This means that the Levites received more than the other tribes. They did not receive an inheritance in the promise land so in this way they received a reward for their services. By this they were able to serve God full time. It is said that the same principle applies to the new Israel with the Lord Jesus at its center, the church.

Many times Paul too mentions that. Here he does too, but for example in I Cor. 9:14 it says, “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” Paul is saying that it is definitely not wrong for “those who preach to the gospel” (I Cor. 9:14) to receive support from their ministry. In fact they “should receive their living from the gospel.” (I Cor. 9:14)  However, Paul didn’t do that. He made tents while spreading the Gospel. He was what is called a self-supported evangelist. He had the right and it would good to do so, but he didn’t venture to do so. That was because he didn’t want to be a burden on the church.

He was a church planter so he knew well what would happen if he requested this from a church that had just begun. It would be a burden on the church and would put a burden on evangelism. So that wouldn’t happen he worked for his living.

Another reason was so that it would not cause misunderstanding in the church. At the time of Paul false teachers were rampant and they deceived the church taking money from church. So that Paul wouldn’t be seen as the same of these false teachers he didn’t venture to receive any money from the Corinthian church. That’s because in the Corinthian church there were people that were suspicious about Paul’s apostleship. They made accusations that Paul was not an apostle. If he receive a pastor’s salary from  such a church then it would cause other misunderstanding. Therefore, he didn’t receive any offerings from the church at all, but while working earnestly served the Lord. However, that was not ordinary. It was an exception. It was right and proper for “those who preach the gospel” (I Cor. 9:14) to “receive their living from the gospel.” (I Cor. 9:14)

In Japan there are a lot of people that think that for teachers to speak about money is completely unacceptable.  More unacceptable is to talk about your own salary or pay.  It’s o.k. for a pastor to be poor. There are still people left who strongly think that if the pastor has food and clothing that that is enough. However, what the Bible fundamentally says is not this. It teaches that “The worker deserves his wages.” (18)

Of course, in churches that don’t have enough money there are cases where a pastor, like Paul, while evangelizing is a tentmaker. That is a great joy, but that is not ordinary.  There are cases where at the beginning the church is small and can’t support the pastor fully, but it shouldn’t be content in doing so forever. If so, the church won’t grow healthy and won’t desire to develop. That is a sad situation for the church. By having people in the church who “whose work is preaching and teaching,” (17) the church is fed spiritually and by that the church as a church can grow healthy.

1. Accusations against an elder (vs. 19-21)

Next please look at verses 19 to 21. Here it teaches about accusations against an elder. “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.  Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.  I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”

That’s because bad gossip about leaders in the church causes huge damage to the church. Even if it is known that it is a mistake, there is no way of keeping the authority that is given to the elders from being cut. Therefore, discretion must be used in bringing accusations against a pastor or an elder.

The nature of a pastor is that he stands before people a lot so he receives criticism from people a lot.  All leaders are the same. Whether it is political leaders or other kinds of leaders, those who stand in front of people are the center of criticism. Even Jesus was criticized. Luke 7:34 says, “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’” They said that Jesus was “a glutton and a drunkard”. (Luke 7:34) Moreover, they said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub!” (Mark 3:22) “Beelzebub” was “the prince of demons.” (Mark 3:22) They went to the extent to say that Jesus was possessed by demons.

The reason bad things are said about the church leaders is that Satan is plotting it. Satan knows how he can crush the church. That is by knocking down the church leaders. If the church leaders are knocked down, then immediately the church will be knocked down. That is an extremely joyous thing for Satan. Therefore, Satan is desperately trying to crush the church. To do that all that is needed is to say bad things about the leader. Therefore, accusations, bad rumors are said.

“Malicious talkers” appeared in 3:11. The Greek word that is used for “malicious talkers” (3:11) is a word that also refers to Satan. Therefore, to gossip is a Satanic sin. These words were spoken about the wives of deacons or deaconesses because especially women have this tendency. It’s strange but the Bible doesn’t say much about men and gossiping.  Men are advised not to speak with a double tongue. They are advised to have a more honest attitude. The Bible doesn’t say much to men about gossiping. If anything it is a weakness and tendency of women.

Proverbs 26:20 teaches us the following, “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” If there is no one gossiping or speaking ill of others then fighting will stop.  It is like wood.  If there is no wood (gossiping) then the fire will go out. However, if there is wood (gossiping) then it will flame up. Therefore, the problem is people who gossip.  The person who listens to the gossip is also the problem. The attitude of the person who listens determines whether it becomes wood and builds the fire up or it doesn’t become wood and the “fire goes out.” (Proverbs 26:20) If he doesn’t listen then the fire will become small and go out. That’s because “without wood a fire goes out.” (Proverbs 26:20)  Therefore, we must be careful not to join in gossiping or speaking ill of others and helping the plot of Satan.

Then, if you have an accusation against the church pastor or elder, what must you do? Here it says, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is  brought by two or three witnesses.” (19) Matt. 18:15 to 17, says, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along,

so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

There is an order.

①    First go to the pastor “and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” (Matt. 18:15)

②    “But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” (Matt. 18:16)

③    “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.” (Matt. 18:17) In other words, his fault must be brought before all the members of the church.

④    “If he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matt. 18:17) It is to excommunicate him from the church.

The reason why his fault is “to be rebuked publicly” (20) is “so that the others may take warning.” (20) It is so that other people will know what the church is. It is to show other people that the church as “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (3:15) shows the utmost love and patience towards weaknesses, but towards sin there are cases where the punishment is strict and severe. That is not to judge the person, but to save him and to purify the church.

In verse 21 it says “I charge you”. Paul is charging Timothy. That was because in the Ephesian church where Paul was pastoring, there were such people. There were people who by teaching false doctrines and devoting “themselves to myths” (1:4) confused and deceived people. Just because the person was a church elder they must not overlook it or pretend like they didn’t see it. The person who is accusing the elder must “show him his fault, just between the two of” (Matt. 18:15) them.  “But if he will not listen” (Matt. 18:16), the accuser should “take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.” (Matt. 16,17)  His fault must be brought before all the members of the church. By doing this there is no favoritism.  That is a very grave and serious thing. However, by doing such a thing the church can keep holiness and fulfill its role as the salt of the earth.

1. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands (Vs. 22-25)

Thirdly is concerning the laying on of hands on elders. Please look at verses 22 to 25. “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others .  Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them, the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

Verse 22 says, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.”  “The laying on of hands” (22) is to recognize that a pastor or an elder is suitable for the work of the church and to lay hands on him giving the person authority and blessing him.  Paul is speaking about the ordination of elders. They must “not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” (22) That was so they will “not share in the sins of others.” (22) If a person who was ordained before he had time to prove himself and the person sins then the person who ordained him shares in the sin.  “The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them, the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” Here Paul is advising to be alert to hidden sins as well as to good deeds in the lives of candidates for ordination. If a candidate has sins trailing behind him and he is ordained then the person who ordained him shares in the sin. Therefore, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” (22)

Ordination should not be done until candidates have had time to prove themselves. If a person unworthy of the office of elder is ordained then dissension will occur in the church and in addition it will bring divisions. Jesus too before he chose his 12 disciples spent the whole night praying. After praying for a long time he chose his disciples. Jesus chose perfectly. Through those disciples God’s work of salvation was completed. Therefore, we too when we choose our leaders, we must pray well and carefully choose them.

Finally let’s look at verse 23. Here it says, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” Here Paul suddenly brings up the subject of alcohol. Paul who was worried about Timothy’s stomach said, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (23)

Timothy was inclined to infirmities. Paul says “stomach” so he must have had stomach problems. Also Paul says “frequent illnesses” so he must have been sick a lot.  Therefore, for his health Paul advises to “stop drinking only water, and use a little wine.” Paul may also have said this because at that time safe drinking water was hard to find so in order to eliminate stomach problems from water to drink a little wine.

Many scholars for the text it is in can’t understand why Paul says this. If you read this through I feel like you can understand the meaning. That is at times our eyes may fall on church leaders who are inadequate and weak. However, God’s family, the church, must treat each other with warm respect and a heart of love. There are no perfect leaders. Also there are no grand laymen from the beginning. In the midst of this what God desires is that we have warm respect and a heart of love. That is not only towards the elders. We as the family of God should always be like that. Pastor and laymen too have weaknesses. However, if like it is here, always respect and love each other then the church will become like heaven. Let’s make that the goal of our church.  To do that let’s not move away from the principles of the Bible that are written here. It is necessary to think once again about how we should be towards the leaders in the church.

Today’s passage is I Timothy 5:1-16. From today’s passage let’s look at how we should serve each other in the church which is the family of God.

1.As family (Vs. 1-3)

First please look at verses 1 to 3.

“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”

Paul said in 3:15 that the church is God’s family, God’s household. In the family there are different members: grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, son, daughter, grandchildren, etc. It is composed of different members. The church is God’s family so the church is also the same. It has people of different ages, positions, and circumstances. Recently it is said that there are a lot of elderly in the church, but normally the elderly, young, men, and women, people of all ages gather in the church. In such a church how should we serve each other?

In verse 1 Paul says first of all, “Do not rebuke an old man harshly.”  When humans grow old they can’t move as vigorously and quick as when they were young.  Because of that there are cases where young people treat the elderly as people who stand in their way and are mean to them. However, there must not be such things in the church. “Do not rebuke…harshly” means not to scold severely. The elderly fail and make mistakes, but even at such times you must “not rebuke…harshly” or look down on them and find fault with them.

According to Tsugio Kosegawa when you get old your thinking is controlled by three thoughts. One is by sentimental memories of past life: the success and failures, the joys and sadness, etc. The mixed feelings of joy and anger are constantly crossing over each other. When you remember an event for a moment you rejoice, then in the next moment feelings of regret suddenly overcome you. There are times when you are emotionally unstable. The second is emotions that come from the future. Such feelings of fear of death, uncertainties that come from the ageing of the body, the hope of heaven, etc. are interwoven. Thirdly are the sentiments that come from the present conditions: feelings of not working, powerless, isolation, etc. It is hard for those who are working hard to understand such feelings, but it is important to understand such mixed emotions and not put pressure on the elderly who move at their own pace. We must not be harsh towards them.

Lev. 19:32 says, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”  In today’s passage it says to treat older men as fathers, and “older women as mothers.” (2) The Greek word used for “treat” (1) is paracleo which means “stand next to and assist”. It is the root word for paracletos which means the comforter or Holy Spirit. It is to stand next and encourage or stand next and help. If an elderly person makes a mistake or does a wrong, we must stand next to him and encourage him.  Especially here it says “as fathers” (1) and “as mothers”. (1) The 10 commandments teach us that we should honor our father and mother. Therefore, to treat the elderly “as fathers” (1) and “as mothers” is to honor them. It is also respecting the elderly for their life experience and the character that was formed by the mixing of those experiences.

Next is how we should treat young people. “Treat younger men as brothers…and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1, 2) Among young people there may be some who are wild and irresponsible or cause only trouble. There may be some that leave a lot to be desired. However, when we have contact with them, we must treat them as brother and sister. To treat as brothers and sisters is treat the relationship like an intimate relationship that even if you cut off the relationship it doesn’t become a broken relationship. Here too the word “treat” (1) is used. Therefore, it is not looking down on the person and spitting out words of disgust, but we must support them standing beside them and helping them.

Especially younger women are to be treated “as sisters, with absolute purity.” (2) “Absolute purity” (2) is used also in 4:12. It is a pure heart with no secret intentions. In other words they are to be treated like real sisters.

Please look at verse 3. The next to appear is “the widowed”. (3) In that age a widow by losing her husband lost her life base. They didn’t have social security like we have today so all the support for life was lost. It was extremely necessary for the church to support such widows.  Rather, not just the widowers, it was the church’s duty to help the weak in society.  James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  “To look after the orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27) was an important duty of the church.

Paul is saying, “Give proper recognition to those widows” (3) He didn’t say just to take care of them and help them, but to “give proper recognition to those widows.” (3) To “give proper recognition” is to show honor and respect.  However, it goes beyond the honor that is to be shown to the elderly as Paul taught in verses 1 and 2. Not only were the widows to be honored and respected, but they were to be taken care of too.

By the way, the name Timothy means “honor God”. A person that honors God honors God’s family. Also even within God’s family he especially honors the weak.

Paul said that the church was Christ’s body. If you look at what a body is like we can understand this. Paul says in I Cor. 12:22-27, “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment.  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.”

The church is the body of Christ. “Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable…God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it.” (I Cor. 12:22, 24) Therefore, by honoring those that are weak, the church becomes a healthy body. The church benefits from all its combined parts.

However, here it isn’t saying to help all widows.  Here it says, “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” (3) That is so as it says in verse 16 the church will not be burdened by them. Not all churches have enough money financially. There are some churches that are poor. For such poor churches to help orphaned children and widows it was necessary for them to distinguish who “those widows who are really in need” (3) are. Even if a church was poor, the church must as a whole support such needy widows. Next let’s look at who “those widows who are really in need” (3) are.

2.Those widows who are really in need (Vs. 4-10)

1. “Those widows who are really in need” (3) have no blood or non-blood relatives.  Verse 4 says, “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”

In other words, it is important that children and grandchildren learn to respect, care for, and repay their parents and grandparents. There may be some people that can’t respect their parents. They may think that their parents didn’t bring them up well or that they showed no compunction for abandoning them. However, it is certain that their parents bore them. Now they exist because they had parents that gave birth to them. Their parents may not have brought them up well. They may have made mistakes. It may be true that they had weak points. However, to continue to have bitterness or to not respect them is not pleasing to God.

Verse 8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” No matter what kind of parents a person had to “not provide for” (8) his parents it to deny “the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (8) “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12) is pleasing to God. Children must learn to do this and we must teach them to do so.

1. “Those widows who are really in need” (3) put their “hope in God.” (5) Please look at verses 5 and 6. “The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.”

“Those widows who are really in need” (3) put their hope in God and continue “night and day to pray and ask God for help.” (5) In other words, they live a life of faith. Such a person like verse 10, “is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.” They are women who don’t receive any remuneration from the church, but like the church staff, just earnestly serve God and the church. It is only natural for the church to support them. That is because such people have always supported the church.

“But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.” (6) That is not just limited to widows. A person who lives for his own pleasure, for his own joy and contentment “is dead even while” (6) he lives. Even though normally the older and older a person gets, the longer and longer he has faith, he must become a model of a person of faith and lives a life of godliness, but if he his living for pleasure, that’s terrible. Just because she is a widow, the church mustn’t thoughtlessly support her. The church must not support a person that is living for pleasure.

1. “Those widows who are really in need” (3) are “over sixty” (9) and have “been faithful to her husband.” (9) Please look at verse 9. “No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband.”  It says, “No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty.” (9) In that age over 60 was considered elderly. Here there are probably some people over 60 who think they are still young, but in that age over 60 was counted as elderly. Here it says, “No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty.” The reason will appear after this so I’d like to identify it then.

Also here it says, “has been faithful to her husband.” (9) The fruits of faith must first be evident in the marriage relationship. The Greek phrase in verse 9, literally, “one-man woman” is the counterpart to the “one-woman man” which describes the overseer and deacon (3:2, 12) This refers to faithfulness in marriage.

Thus, a widow is a widow, but “give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” (3) Often there are people who think that the church should help all people who are in poverty without conditions or requirements. However, that it not so. Real kindness is not giving help to just anyone no matter what he does. The church must help “those widows who are really in need” (3) have no blood or non-blood relatives, are “left all alone” (5) put their “hope in God” (5) and continue “night and day to pray and ask God for help,” (5) are “over sixty” (9) and have “been faithful to” (9) their husband. I think we must think more seriously and constructively about helping people in this kind of situations.

3.Do not put younger widows on such a list (Verses 11-16)

Please look at verses 11 to 16.

“Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.  Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house.  And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.  So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.  Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.  If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help then and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.”

Until now we have looked at what “widows who are really in need” (3) are like. “Those widows who are really in need” (3) have no blood or non-blood relatives, are “left all alone” (5) put their “hope in God” (5) and continue “night and day to pray” (5) and serve God. Then an age restriction of over 60 was laid. Here it says, “As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list.” (11) That is because “when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.” (11,12)

In the ancient church among the exponent theologians were John Chrysostom and Tertullianus. According to their accounts, the first church had a system concerning the widows. They established an agreement that for widows that serve God for life, the church will fulfill their obligation to them. Those who were registered had faith and had to pledge to not remarry the rest of their lives. Those who made this vow put on “widows clothes” and received the laying on of hands. Therefore, here the widows that are being spoken about are not just widows. Their husbands had died and they had vowed to serve the Lord for the rest of their life.

However, this mustn’t be the case with young widows too. That is because “when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.” (11,12) “Their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ” (11) means that “their sensual desires overcome” their commitment to dedicate themselves to Christ. As a result of their youth, for “sensual desires,” (11) they discard their first vow, their first faith. This is the image of a young ox that tries to escape from his yoke.  In the old day the fields were plowed by 2 oxen that were tied together by a yoke.  However, in time one of the oxen tries to escape from the yoke. Young widows are the same. They try to escape from the yoke and “they want to marry.”

To marry in and of its self is not bad.  The problem is that even though they had promised to give all to Jesus, they break the vow and marry.  Now that they became a widow, they vow to give the rest of their life to God. It is like Catholic sisters that even though they vow not to marry and give their life to God, when they meet a kind man, a man whose faith they respect, soon “they want to marry.” (11) This is the problem.

Marriage is wonderful. It is a blessing of God. However, marriage isn’t everything.  If your husband dies first, it is also wonderful to give the Lord the rest of your life and serve the Lord. That’s because “a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife-and his interests are divided.  An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs; her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.” (I Cor. 7:33,34) “But if you do marry, you have not sinned.” (I Cor. 7:28) However, Paul advises, “Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are.” (I Cor. 7:26) That is because you can live “in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (I Cor. 7:35) Therefore. marrying is a good thing.  Also “if she stays as she is,” (I. Cor. 7:40) in other words, she doesn’t remarry, that is also wonderful. What is important is how you are going to serve the Lord in the situation that you are in. If a young woman becomes a widow, she must think about how she should spend the rest of her life. Then if she has vowed to give the rest of her life to the Lord, she must not turn her back on that vow.  However, it says that “As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list.  For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.” (11)

“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house.  And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” (13) These are the women that have discarded their first vow.  A woman whose husband dies and vowed that she would use the rest of her life for the Lord is good, but then if she gives up her vow and marries another man, has time on her hands and idles away her life, “going about from house to house.  And … also gossips.” (13) They are busybodies, “saying things they ought not to.” (13)

Therefore, Paul counsels the younger women “to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.” (14) That is because “Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.” (15 Therefore, while you are young, you should work faithfully, or do your household jobs, and live a calm life.

Just because a person is a widow we shouldn’t haphazardly support them. We need to among the widows “give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” (3) That’s because the church is God’s family.

As you know the other day Vanatu, a small country in the South Pacific was hit by a huge cyclone that did extensive damage. Actually 70% of the countries’ population lost their homes. We received a report on the present condition from our friend Greg Carlson and his wife who are sent out by Wycliffe to do Bible translation there. According to Greg the people of Vanatu are facing a deeper problem than the loss of their homes. That is food! They live off of the land. Most of the population lives by subsistence farming. Their crops were all destroyed so they have nothing to eat. Even if they plant seeds, it will take 6 months before they can harvest.  Fortunately rice has been sent to Vanatu from many countries, but they have nothing to eat but rice.

When I received this report I prayed about what I should do. God’s answer was “give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” (3) In the body of Christ, God’s church, if there are such people, we should give them proper recognition.

We should do what we can to help them. The problem is not how much we give. What is important is that we follow God’s word, and put it into practice. In the back of the room there is an offering box so please pray and give.

A few weeks ago on the television program “Unbelievable” Shu Wuan Jien was introduced on a film strip from China entitled “2013’s most beautiful neighbor”. In 1979 Shun who lived in a small village in Shisensho, China was 15 years old.  His family was poor and they didn’t even have money to buy pig feed. Every day he would go to the town and gather left over food that could be used to feed the pig.

One day Shun eyes fell upon some people who were eating wantan ramen which looked so delicious. Without thinking Shun stopped and looked at them. Food like wantan that has meat in it was too expensive for the poor.

Then a 60 year old woman named Wan Zuyu said to him, “It’s hard when you are still a child to collect left over food.” Then she gave him some wantan ramen to eat. Shu was so thankful. Also he thought that he wanted to become a person like Wan.

However, the next day he saw Wan working as a carrier of baggage. Moreover her blind son was pushing the cart from the rear. Besides that she had a sick husband. He realized that she was poor like him.  After that too Wan was always concerned about Shun.

21 years passed. Shun married and had a family. Even after he became an adult he visited and kept his relationship with Wan. In 2002 when Shun was 38 years old he received the news that Wan’s husband and son unfortunately died. Besides that, Wan broke both legs and was put in a home for the elderly. The homes for the elderly in China are public so they are almost all free, but for an older person like Wan who is by herself the greatest agony is loneliness. At that time Wan was 83 years old. Therefore, Shun talked with his own mother, wife, and son and brought Wan to his home to live with them.  He loved her like his own mother. The people around him could not understand why he would bring an old lady to live with him. They thought he did it out of an expectation for something in return, but her only possession was a walking cane. In return as gratitude for one bowl of wantan ramen he brought Wan to his house.

Then after 11 years in Jan. of 2014 Wan died. She was 95 years old. While she was alive, she said to Shun, “You weren’t my real son. However, like a real son you loved me. You did so much that I don’t know how to repay you. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart.”

At the “The most beautiful neighbor” awards ceremony Shun said, “A neighbor is in a sense family. Wan treated me like a family member when I was young. Even today she lives within my heart.”

These words, “A neighbor is in a sense family” rang strongly in my heart.  The church is God’s family. Therefore, we are asked to treat the members as a family. The church has people of many different ages, backgrounds, and circumstances, but no matter what kind of person, we are asked to treat them as family. How do you look at the people in the church, the family God? Let’s remember once again that the church is the family of God and let’s treat the members like family.