Christian Conduct

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
1 Timothy 4	1 Timothy 5	1 Timothy 6	Numbers 23	Numbers 24

  In chapters 5 & 6 of 1 Timothy Paul instructed Timothy concerning general conduct and practice within the church.

• Respect for one another: Others are to be respected treating older men and women as fathers and mothers and treating younger men and women as brothers and sisters.
• Support for widows: Paul outlined a church welfare system for widows with implications for broader application of welfare. The church is expected to provide assistance for those who are genuine widows. This meant the widow has no other family members on whom to depend. If she has other family members, they are to provide for her and not the church. Furthermore, an age requirement of 60 years old is placed on those widows the church should help. These principles have a two-fold purpose: first, the church has limited resources and cannot provide for all who might request it, and second, providing for those who have other options, such as marriage, encourages idleness and self-indulgence which can lead to various sins. Paul taught that the first responsibility for care falls on the family and not the church.
• Accusations against church leaders: Though Paul didn't condone misconduct among church leaders, neither did he condone false accusations against them. Therefore, an accusation against a church leader should not be accepted and acted upon unless there were more than one witness. Accusations brought by only witness are to go no further.
• Caution in appointing church leaders: Timothy was counseled by Paul not to be too quick to appointment anyone to leadership in the church. There needs to be time to observe a person, allowing them to prove their true character.
• Conduct of workers toward their bosses: Those who work for others are counseled to regard their bosses as worthy of respect. The motive for this is not based on whether or not the boss deserves the respect but on upholding God's honor. The Christian worker represents God and it is God and His teaching that will be "blasphemed" should the Christian worker be disrespectful toward his boss and not be a good worker.
• Pursue the fruit of the Spirit: The overarching principle concerning our Christian conduct is based in the fruit of the Spirit. Paul instructs all Christians to pursue "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11)