Timothy and Titus – Inconspicuous Leadership
When do you have enough to be satisfied? A very rich man was asked this question and he responded, “Never”. “I will never have enough.” “There is always one more dollar to make!”
This is the state of our world today. We will never have enough, be enough and be content with what we have right now in front of us. The world thinks this is a good thing so you will always strive to get more and be more. We look down or patronize people who are content to be a difference in our schools, churches, missionary fields, and other activities that are helpful to others growth and maturity but do not bring them wealth in the world’s eyes. Noble is the word used for this kind of contentment by others in doing what God has asked us to do, but power is the word most used in other professions.
So, who has real power? What does it mean to be “rich”?What is enough? The answer, according to Paul who speaks wisdom to Timothy is, “A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.” He reminds all of us, “Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.”Living gratefully content, knowing God, being who He has created us to be and following His ways taught to us by Jesus Christ who died for us…is enough. Be yourself before God.
1 Timothy 6, The Message
The Lust for Money
2-5 These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
6-8 A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.9-10 But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #7: Avoid the lust for more money. Money and power does not define us in God’s eyes.
Leadership Characteristics –
–Contentment.
–Honest before God. Honest before the world.
–Knows God well and enjoys an intimate relationship with God.
–Because of an intimate relationship we can be ourselves before God because we trust He knows all about us.
–God guides AND provides all we need.
–If God is all you have, you have everything. We have enough!
God is that Friend who will always know you and can strike up a conversation with you even if it has been a while. So talk with Him. Be with the One who knows and loves you best.
Be still and know God.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
In Jesus Name, Amen
