Read: 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1-3; 2 Timothy 1
Paul encourages the mature to act mature. They are to be the examples of what the younger generations should want to aspire to be. In our generation it seems that the older people are looking to the younger for their example. They want to look like them, act like them, and not take the responsibility of being the leaders. Because the older people have given their position over to a younger generation we are lacking the wisdom of the aged.
I also see a lack of respect for the older generation by the younger. The older generation are being pushed out of their jobs to make place for younger executives who lack the wisdom to run corporations. I think things are about to turn around and get in the right position.
Paul talks a lot about submission. The church should submit to their leaders, wives to their husbands, children to their parents, citizens to their governmental leaders and everyone should submit to God. Everyone submits! Submission teaches us humility and reveals our hearts. If we rebel against submission then we are rebelling against God. He put in place the hierarchy of submission to help us train our hearts.
Paul also levels the ground of man’s knowledge. He explained that just because you were raised in a Jewish home and went through all the rituals does not make you a better Christian than a Gentile who came into the kingdom through faith. Rituals or ‘church going’ will not make you righteous. Righteousness is your relationship with God. Paul had been the top of his class in Judaism and gave it all up for prison for Jesus.
Paul also levels the ground about wealth. He warned them about being proud and trusting in their wealth. The only thing wealth is good for is to help others. When we share what we have we are storing up treasures for the future. We are building a good foundation for the true life.
Lord, help us to submit to those you have put over us and to give our wealth to you. We want to build a strong foundation built on love.
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