“Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses” (1 Timothy 5:19).

The principle here has been violated in our modern culture.  In the name of those who abuse, there is another abuse where an elder only need be accused by one.  Look at the rule and not the exception.  The point of all matters of discipline is for the sake of faithfulness.  The elder may be accused by the one being held accountable, so be discerning.  The elder is there because of a call by the Lord and hopefully in maturity.

Lord, things are upside down in this age.  Help me learn, apply, accept, and understand the principles You have given that are good for all times and places.  Lead me in truth to see that in You alone can truth be understood.  You have not given these principles for privilege, but for the sake of all that we may grow in stature and wisdom.  Help me to learn how to apply these things.

Lord Jesus, You cared for all whom You met.  Those who accused You did so publically until Your trial when scheming took over.  Teach me to move away from the way the world does things that I may learn how to do them the way You would have me do them.  In all things, no matter my position, teach me to apply these principles in my own life and be an example to those who do not follow them.  Amen.

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:18)

The Lord has called us into a life that is growing into a better self.  In order to grow, we must learn, and this, in fact, is what the Greek word for disciple literally means.  We are called to be people who learn.  Therefore, do not stop one from learning.  In the learning comes the wages, the reward received as one comes to understand these things that the Lord has given us.  Do not hinder another no matter where they are in the learning process.

Lord, You know that this world is set up in competition – one seeking to be on top of another.  Guide me, Lord, to see that it is You and me.  Not that I am any different from all the others whom You have created, but that You measure me against me.  Help me to not compete but learn how to be faithful.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the games of this world and to live in the truth of the ages.

Lord Jesus, You were an encouragement to all who were seeking truth.  You are truth and those who see You by the eyes of faith need what only You can give.  Help me to not be blinded in this age by all the noise and obfuscation, but instead to be led gently by Your Spirit.  Guide me, O Lord, to see that in You alone is all hope and the only future worth living.  Help me know that everyone who works is worthy of their wage.  Amen.

“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).

Listen to these words and hear them as they are spoken.  How many times have you heard someone rip into a preacher?  Pets at home are often better treated than the leaders of the church.  Yet, Scripture says “worthy of double honor.”  So, is the problem that they don’t make preachers the way they used to, or that sinners are sinning without repentance?  The principle is to learn from the Lord what He would teach.

Lord, the culture is constantly pushing against the goad.  I am polluted by the culture.  Guide me, Lord, to listen to You and not to the world.  Help me understand that only in You is there hope.  You have given the Word of truth and in You is all hope.  Help me to give honor where I should but have not.  Lead me to do what is right in Your sight and not what the world tells me to do.

Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all honor and praise.  When I do not do as You direct, I am dishonoring You.  When I do not honor those whom You send, I also dishonor You.  Help me learn what I need to know so that I become obedient in all things.  Help me to curb my tongue and open my heart that I may give honor where honor is due.  Lord, You are the One who guides me, and let it be no other.  Amen.

“If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed” (1 Timothy 5:16).

These particularities are for there and then.  The principle is forever.  If one has responsibilities, the church is not to relieve or fulfill those responsibilities.  We each need to learn to be dependable and responsible.  Yet, throughout the ages, there are those who will let others do for them what they should be doing.  Whether it is a small or large task, it does not matter.  What matters is that we learn what the Lord would teach us by doing our part.

Lord, it is easy to get caught up with the way the world does things and ignore what You are saying.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would do things the way You would have me do them.  Lead me in the way of truth in order that I would be responsible as You direct.  Help me now and always to see that in You alone is there all hope, for Your word gives me the wisdom I need to live according to Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, You did what needed to be done and did not count the cost.  You helped others, even strangers, and in the end appointed John for the care of Your mother.  Lead me by Your example Lord so that I would be responsible and do the things You give me to do.  Guide me Lord and help me to willingly and consistently follow where You lead.  In all things, help me to never shirk my responsibility.  Amen.

“Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; for some have already turned aside to follow Satan” (1 Timothy 5:14-15)

Give the enemy no reason for reproach.  Now here is something to remember.  The reason for all  these things is not to make life difficult, but to remember that the wicked one wants you distracted so that you will not live into the promises you have been given by the grace of God.  We are appointed to the seasons of life and these appointments come with duties that need to be fulfilled.

Lord, I often think in terms of wanting to live as one who is “special.”  I am one of Your sheep.  You love each of us equally and I am whom You are making me to be.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that You have established in order that I may humbly walk as You would have me walk.  Guide me to always look to You and never turn aside to the wicked one.  You alone are the giver of life.

Jesus, You are the way, truth and life.  You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, Lord, in the way I need to go this day and help me to not be distracted by the wicked one.  Lead me, O Lord, for You alone know the way and what is needed.  Help me to do those things You give me to do this day and live in the abundant grace and mercy You give me.  In You alone do I have an eternal hope!  Amen.

“At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention” (1 Timothy 5:13).

Is this not at the heart of the culture that seeks leisure?  Do we not have lots of people with nothing better to do than to pry into other people’s business?  There are many in our culture who say it’s good because it is social.  But what does it mean when people stare at a screen and do not look at one another?  Busybodies and gossips are an abomination to the Lord.  Do not do this for your sake.

Lord, our culture says that this is okay.  It is not.  You have made this clear in so many places.  Help me to understand that You have come to save all of us from the perpetual lies of the wicked one that tell us that good is evil and evil is good.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always walk according to what Your word says, for Your word is truth.  Teach me to speak truth and do what is right.

Lord Jesus, You have come to make us new.  It does not matter where I have been or even how fast or long I travel the road You have set before me.  What matters is that I follow you.  Help me, Lord, to live today tending to my own business, doing what You give me to do, ignoring all of the gossip around me.  Help me put into effect Your words in my life so that I would grow a little more each day to be like You.  Amen.

“But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge” (1 Timothy 5:11-12).

The church has sometimes taken this as the basis for some of its monastic orders.  It is a fine thing to want to serve the Lord alone, but we can serve the Lord in and through family, friends and society.  The principle to focus upon here is the pledge.  The Lord takes seriously the vows we make and the words of promise we utter.  Did not our Lord say, “Let your yes be yes, and your no, no?”  May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord.

If you look at these things in a proper way, we see that the world wants to go for all the advantage it can gain.  The Lord desires that we be like Christ.  We have been called through our baptism into the glorious company of the saints in light.  We are called to live into the promise the Lord (Who cannot lie) has given us knowing full well that we cannot do so without Him.  Through faith it is reckoned unto us as righteousness and that is by grace.

Lord Jesus, I absolutely need You, but also, I need to do what I can.  Help me to step up to the plate and do my duty when I can, where I can, and as I can.  You are the example and You have led the way.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go to learn how to be more like You.  Lead me in the direction I need to go so that, no matter what happens in this world, I may be guided by Your grace to do what is good and right.  Amen.

“[H]aving a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work” (1 Timothy 5:10).

Those who are not in need ask for handouts.  That’s our modern culture.  Many have their hands out.  If you do not give it, they curse you.  That’s the wickedness that has always been around.  We are not expected to do all things for all people.  Jesus didn’t, we shouldn’t try.  But we are expected to come into the goodness of Christ and the way is practicing charity and good deeds  when a need truly exists .  Help out when and where the Holy Spirit leads.

Lord, this is so simple to see, but so difficult to do in this world.  We are so enamored with what others think, say and do, that we do not look at the utter simplicity of whether another is behaving like Your follower.  The world can call it what it will, but it is that simple.  Help me to see the simplicity of things and to live according to Your Word and in the Father’s will.

Lord Jesus, You have established the way.  Yes, we are assuredly saved by what You have done for us, but You have called us to live a new life of humble obedience as Your disciples.  Teach me that I am no better than a beggar.  When I shirk what You have asked me to do, bring me to repentance.  Teach me to be faithful to the calling You have given me, going where You send me, and doing what You give me to do.  Amen.

“A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man” (1 Timothy 5:9)

We live under grace.  What is important is to have firm boundaries in place.  There are principles that must govern every time and place.  It is not to be so hard-pressed that you absolutely will not help someone who does not fulfill every nuance of what is said, but that you also do not stop doing what you are able to do.  The church should help those who need to be helped and not help those who can either help themselves or should be helped by their family.

Lord, our contemporary culture gives handouts to everyone and the church is expected to tell everyone that everything is good and right.  We are called evil if we draw a line.  Help me through all this nonsense to live prudently and by the lines You have drawn.  Guide me to see that only in You is there wholeness.  Help me to also be chaste and moral so that I may do what is pleasing to You.

Lord Jesus, there is nothing new here that You have not seen before in this world.  You know this sinful world and You have experienced the incessant cacophony of wickedness that calls us in many directions.  Lord, teach me to do what is right and to help those whom You would have me help.  Guide me into all goodness and lead me according to the way You have established for all.  Amen.   

“Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.  But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:7-8).

Some of these things which Paul is speaking of seem so much like common sense that most folk wonder why he needs to says them.  Look around and you see irresponsibility.  Too many say, “Why do it if there is someone else who will do it?”  But this ought not be so with you.  Do not live irresponsibly, but live doing what the Lord gives you to do.  Know that in Him is goodness and life.

Lord, I do see so many things and I am tempted to live as those who skirt prudence and decency.  You have called me to a better life of preparing to be eternally with You.  Guide me away from the temptations which are common to all.  Lead me into seeing life differently and applying my strength and efforts toward doing what is right.  You know what needs to happen and I thank You for Your help in making it happen.

Thank You Lord Jesus for taking on the responsibility to do all that is needed so that those who believe would be freed to take up their cross and follow You.  Lead me now and always, Lord, in order that I would humbly abide in the truth of all that You have done.  Help me be responsible so that I may be above reproach and a witness of the good You desire for us all.  In You is all hope and an eternal future.  Amen.