Recognition

Recognition

1 Timothy 5: ¹⁷ The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain” and “Workers should be given their pay.” ¹⁹ Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses. ²⁰ Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid.

 

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After working hard for a long period of time, the project was finished. At the convention, the project was accepted well and people flocked to our booth. It felt great to get recognized when they gave our team an award.

 

• I felt good being recognized for my hard work.
• I felt appreciated for what I was doing.
• I felt honored.

 

Paul suggests recognition to Timothy. Recognize elders who do a good work as a leader, preaching and teaching. Unlike most leaders, this one stands out amongst the people as a true leader. Paul warns Timothy that some people may get jealous and present false accusations against the recognized elder. He suggests their sin be brought in front of everyone in a public rebuke.

 

My Observations

• Pastors, preachers and teachers who dedicate themselves to serving the LORD should be supported for doing so.
• GOD recognizes people who serve HIM without needing to be paid.
• GOD wants me to lead with integrity and not be concerned about being paid for it.

 

Recognition is great! I mean, it feels good to be appreciated and honored especially when unexpected. But what happens when no one sees what you and I do? GOD sees those who work from the heart.

 

HE is more impressed when I serve HIM in secret than when I seek to be recognized in front of many. HE also wants leaders to recognize other leaders who have dedicated himself or herself to serving the LORD and are doing it well. You will know them by their fruit. I gladly recognize those who serve the LORD with all their heart!

 

Challenge

• What is the writer recommending?
• Have you ever received recognition?
• How did it feel?
• Will you recognize those who have served the LORD with all of his or her heart today?

Will someone please get rid of “that” pastor!

1 Timothy 3:  ¹ This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.” ² So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

 ³ He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. ⁵ For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

 ⁶ An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. ⁷ Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

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After waking up from my single life night at the club, I decided to go to church for a change. I put on my Sunday duds and thought “which church should I go to today?” One church was boring, empty and full of “old” people. “Nah” not there… how about the church with the big crowd and nice choir? “Yeah that’s the one for me!”

When I sat down, I noticed several women sitting around me with strange smiles. “What a nice church” I thought. The preacher spoke about staying out of clubs and giving my hard earned money. I certainly didn’t want to hear that, meanwhile I waited to see if he was sleeping with the women or stealing. I mean, what’s so hard about being a pastor anyway?

• When I tried to live like the list in Timothy I failed miserably.
• When I tried to have self control I was out of control.
• When I tried to imagine managing a family I had no idea until I had a family.
• When I tried to not be a heavy drinker, I didn’t want to give up my single social life.
• When I tried to be gentle, I realized I was climbing the ladder and gentleness is for chumps.
• When I tried not being quarrelsome, I was always right anyway so why quarrel?
• When I tried not loving money, I thought about the clothes, cars and homes I wanted and threw that out!

Being a pastor is not easy. They are scrutinized and tempted at higher levels and actually need help maintaining a list like this one. What can I do?

• I can be faithful to my wife and not look at his.
• I can manage my family well and not point fingers at his.
• I can exercise self control, reduce or give up drinking, and take my judgment off of his actions.
• I can be gentle, not quarrel, open up my home and teach people.

The only way to help my pastor out is to walk in the ways GOD dictates to him.

• Do you have a criticism of your pastor?
• Are you ready to throw stones at his leadership?
• Have you tried living the life you expect him to live?
• What is GOD saying about your life?