THE PASTOR AND THE FINANCES--I TIMOTHY--LESSON 5

THE PASTOR AND THE FINANCES

I TIMOTHY--LESSON 5

By E. L. Bynum

Lesson: I Timothy 5:1-25

Memory Verse: I Timothy 5:8

Introduction:

This chapter deals with the finances of the Church in regard to the care of destitute widows and also the pastors of a church.

I. CARE CONCERNING WIDOWS. vs. 1-16

A. Conduct Toward the Old and the Young. vs. 1-2

1. Elderly men are to be treated as fathers. v. 1. The elder in this case is not the pastor, but simply elderly men. They are not to be rebuked, but entreated, comforted, and exhorted.

2. Younger men are to be treated as brothers. v. 1

3. Elderly women are to be treated as mothers. v. 2

4. Younger women are to be treated as sisters with all purity. v. 2. The pastor as well as all the men of the church should conduct themselves with all purity toward all of the women in the church.

B. Care Of Widows In Need. vs. 3-10

The need that Paul deals with here would be almost non-existent in our society today. In Paul's day there was no social security, old age assistance, or any of the other welfare benefits that are available today for those in need. However, this passage is important for it shows that the church was not heavily engaged in social work in the 1st century, even though these government social programs did not exist. Any help given by the church was on a very strict basis and to its membership only. II Thessalonians 3:10-12, For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

1. Israel was admonished to give special consideration to widows. Deuteronomy 10:18, He cloth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Deuteronomy 24:17, Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge. Isaiah 1:17, Learn to do well; seek- judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

a. It would naturally follow that the New Testament churches should also show compassion on widows.

b. Churches should be careful not to waste the Lord's money on those who are not in need, or who do not qualify for help. Some families seek to live off of churches, and simply will not work. Why work when you can beg?

2. Relatives (including children, grandchildren, and nephews) should take care of their widows and their needy. v. 4

3. The widow with no relatives is to be spiritual and prayerful. v. 5

a. The church has no obligation to help anyone outside the membership of the New Testament church.

b. They are not to help a self-indulgent, pleasure seeking person, but one who has an implicit trust in God, and who is a person of fervent prayer.

4. Those who are not spiritual, but worldly are not to be considered. v. 6

5. These truths are to be commanded. v. 7

6. Those who refuse to care for their own. v. 8

a. "His own" refers to his own relatives.

b. "Those of his own house" refers to those who live with him.

c. Those who will not, have denied the faith!

7. The qualifications for permanent aid. vs. 9-10

a. She must be a widow indeed, and destitute. v. 9

b. She must be at least 60 years old. v. 9

c. She must have been above reproach in marriage. v. 9

d. She must have a record of faithful service. v.10.

(1) She must have a good report.

(2) She must have brought up children. If they were her own, they must have died, or she would not be eligible (v. 4) This may refer to orphans.

(3) She must have shown hospitality to strangers.

(4) She must have washed the feet of the saints that came to her house.

(5) She must have relieved the afflicted.

(6) She must have followed every good work.

C. The Treatment Of Younger Widows. vs. 11-15

1. They are not to be taken in for support. v. 11

2. They will likely marry again. v. 11

3. Their idleness will lead them into sin. vs. 12-13

4. The younger women were to marry, bear children and be an example. v. 14. Note that they were to marry before having children. Of course their marriage would have to be in the Lord. I Corinthians 7:39, The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

a. She is to guide the house and be a homemaker.

b. She is to live a godly life. The word occasion is a military term that refers to a "base of operations." A woman, who gets out of her place (v. 14), gives a base of operations to the devil.

5. Some had already gone that way. v. 15

6. Christian men and women are to take care of their own widows. v. 16

7. The church should only be concerned with the widows indeed. v. 16

II. CARE CONCERNING PASTORS. vs. 17-25

A. The Support of Pastors. vs. 17-18

1. Those worthy of double honor or generous support. v. 17

a. Those that rule well in the church as an overseer. I Thessalonians 5: 12, And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. I Timothy 3:4-5, One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God.) I Corinthians 9:7, 11, Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? Luke 10:7, And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

b. Especially those pastors who labor in the word and doctrine.

c. Note that elders, bishops, and pastors are to both oversee and feed the flock. Acts 20:28, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Ephesians 4:11-12, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

2. The principle involved. v. 18. See Deuteronomy 25:4, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

B. The Reputation Of The Pastor. vs. 19-20

1. His reputation is to be guarded. v. 19. The witnesses must have knowledge of wrongdoing and not be listening to gossip. Deuteronomy 19:15, One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Matthew 18:16, But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

2. Sin of the pastor as well as others is to be rebuked. v. 20

C. The Responsibility of the Pastor. vs. 21-22

1. He is charged to do the things mentioned in vs. 19-20.

2. He is charged to function without partiality. v. 21

3. He is to be careful whom he ordains or appoints. v. 22. Much harm has been done by ordaining men have sin or who are not qualified in some way.

4. He is to abstain from sin and remain pure. v. 22

D. The Pastor's Health. v. 23

1. This does not mean he cannot drink water.

2. He was to drink "a little wine" for the stomach's sake. This was for medicinal reasons. The pressures of the ministry may have caused him to have ulcers or some other ailment. The word for wine "oinos" is used in the New Testament to describe both grape juice and intoxicating wine, therefore we cannot say for sure what this was that Timothy should drink.

E. The Manifestation Of Sins And Good Works. vs. 24-25

1. Some men's sins are open and known now as they go for judgment. v. 24

2. Some men's sins are covered but will be revealed at the judgment. v. 24

3. Some men's good works are known ahead of time. v. 25

4. Some men's good works will be revealed at the judgment seat. v. 25. This passage (vs. 24-25) may refer back to v. 22, and Paul's instruction to lay hands on no man suddenly.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. How are elders to be treated?

2. How are elderly women to be treated?

3. How are young men to be treated?

4. How are younger women to be treated? Be specific.

5. What are widows indeed?

6. Who has the first responsibility for taking care of widows?

7. What did Paul say about those who would not take care of their own ?

8. What did he say about the younger widows?

9. How did a widow qualify for permanent help from the church? List the qualifications.

10. Why is this not generally a problem in our society today?

11. How are active ruling pastors to be taken care of?

12. What are the conditions for hearing an accusation against a pastor?

13. Why did Paul advise Timothy to drink a little wine?

14. What does it say about open and hidden sins and good deeds?