So if any believer has a widow in their family, instruct them to support her financially so that the church will not be burdened with her care. This will leave finances available for those widows who are truly in need. The pastors who lead the church well should be paid well. They should receive double honor for faithfully preaching and teaching the revelation of the Word of God. For the Scriptures have taught us: “Do not muzzle an ox or forbid it to eat while it grinds the grain.” And also, “The one who labors deserves his wages.” Refuse to listen to suspicious accusations against the pastors who lead the flock unless you have two or three witnesses to confirm the accusations. But if indeed you find that they have sinned, bring correction to them before the congregation so that the rest of the people will respect you. Timothy, in the presence of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and before the chosen messengers, I solemnly charge you to put into practice all these matters without bias, prejudice, or favoritism. Don’t be hasty to ordain them with the laying on of hands, or you may end up sharing in their guilt should they fall. Keep yourself pure and holy with your standards high. (If drinking the water causes you to have stomach ailments, drink some wine instead.) The sins of some people stand out and are well known. Yet there are others whose sins are not as obvious, but the truth of who they really are will eventually be seen and will bring them judgment. It is the same way with good works, even if they are not known at first, they will eventually be recognized and acknowledged.
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Compare All Versions: 1 Timothy 5:16-25
6 Days
The first of Paul’s three “pastoral epistles,” 1 Timothy focuses on the church as a “pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). In the letter, Paul commands Timothy to “guard the deposit” (1 Timothy 6:20) by combatting false teachers, protecting the flock of Christ, and structuring the church well. 1 Timothy shows us the incredible privilege of being in God’s church and the high calling of leading it.
This plan offers a 6-day journey through the book of 1 Timothy, making it ideal for both individual and group study.
7 Days
This 7-day devotional is for anyone who has struggled with wayward family members. Do you walk a tightrope between living your life faithfully and coping with difficult family members in a way that is pleasing to God? Every family has a struggle or two with hurt and dysfunction. May this plan help to guide you as you strive to relate to misguided family members.
A good lens to read 1 Timothy through is 1 Timothy 1:5, where Paul writes, Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Over the next 7 days we will explore this small and amazing book.
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