1st Timothy 3:3. “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;”
NEGATIVE CHARACTER TRAITS. There are those around us who are prone to drink a lot. The reasons they do this are quite diverse. Some do that for social reasons; they say it makes it easier to talk. And insist the side effects are not all that adverse.
Others like a scrap, they think that they must win Every argument and thing must always go their way. Inside, they know the difference but don’t consider sin Is the result of a confrontation – they won the argument but lost the day.
Still others boast of deals made, but most of the deals are shady. It doesn’t stand the test and light of righteousness. For some reason, they miss the point of a man whose words are weighty – Is the man whom both God and men will seek to bless?
Then there are those so greedy that they are never satisfied. No matter what they have, they are always wanting more. To a man like that, one is not wise to in him confide – You will not find good counsel from his covetous store.
When one is a believer, there are things we must put off, Just like a garment of clothes when it is soiled. You won’t find people follow those who moral living scoff – Rather, they can trust a man who, through his life, has toiled.
Don’t listen to get-rich schemes or those who live just for a laugh. Pay attention to those who commit to holy living. Such people are able to be trusted and are content with what they have. They have earned our respect through sacrificial giving.
Character is continually forming; there are things we do put on – By what we do and how we act in normal life. In conscious acts of grace, we persevere till wrong is gone – And the man God uses is one who commits to what is right.
“Preserve me, O God, from allowing evil things around to permeate my character. Keep me from giving way to social pressures of conformity to the world. Help me to continually walk an upward road even when others are going the other way. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Spiritual elders that refers to their maturity, and spiritual capacity as shepherds, will be called upon to do a spiritual work. The designation, "bishop," refers to the pastor, elder and overseer. “Overseer” is the word that best describes bishop. [1Pe.5:1-3; Acts 20:17,28; 1Tim.4:14; Titus 1:5-7] Elder is an older man of experience. Pastor is one who has the heart of a shepherd and cares for the well-being of the believers under his care. Bishops are overseers who visits those under his care to make sure of their welfare. The word "deacon," one who serves, is a Greek word like "bishop" that has been brought into the English language as it is originally. Paul, Timothy, Tychicus and Phoebe were all identified as servants among the saints of God. Those who do the work of leading, to which they have been called, are to be moral in their conduct, and mature among the company of God's people, In their personality their character needs to be above reproach and in the community in which they live, their integrity needs to be established.
There are sixteen qualifications listed that are not just suggestions as to their behavior and personality. A blameless person leaves nothing for critics to take hold on. They are to be above reproach. The pastor- teacher is a gift to the saints of an assembly whose labor and guidance is to be translated into action as a "good work." The qualifications expected are the ordinary elements of a godly life. In chapter 5 public recognition identifies those who are tried and proven in their character. We are not to "lay hands suddenly" on those not known to the assembly. The elder is to be the husband of one wife, not a polygamist. Personal morality and fidelity are God's standard. Families must not be neglected. Discipline, care and effective teaching begin at home.