Paying the Minister

2 Timothy 2:3-7. Paul gives three examples and asks Timothy to guess what they mean. It seems clear to me that their meaning is that Timothy should not try to make money in secular work but rather focus on his ministry and get financial support from his church. Perhaps Timothy is not getting a great deal of money, like a soldier he has no other way he can make money. Timothy is working as a minister, he needs to do that work properly, not cheat by giving his time to something else that may earn money. If Timothy works hard he will share in the blessing that will surely come as a result, which will provide for his needs.

Discipleship

2 Timothy 2:2. The things I have learned I must carefully teach to others who will use this knowledge wisely. Some things are not for everyone to know, and there is never enough time to teach everybody properly. Teach a few and teach them well, and of course give basic teaching to many.

The Benchmark

2 Timothy 1:13-15. Those who came before us set a standard, it is up to us to match that standard, but to do it by trusting and loving Jesus. What standard are we supposed to live up to? The standard of Paul I think, the standard of Christ, that we see in the Bible. How do we live up to it?

We are to protect the teachings we have received by the Holy Spirit. Not by creeds or councils I notice, but by the Holy Spirit.

People are weak and turn against us, we are called to be faithful to God and His standard. 

Please Lord make me faithful to the standard you have set in your word, not limited to the standard of those around me. Please teach me how to lead by example and to inspire. Thank you that you have led me gently in the way that worked for me, please teach me to lead like you do.

Blessing

Numbers 6:23-27. The Aaronic blessing. Blessing, protecting; the Lord keeps us, we don’t keep him. When my face shines on someone I would want do do good for them. Gracious, grace. Lift up countenance, smile I think. Peace, ultimately what we are seeking, that deep satisfaction called peace.

Lord please prompt me to bless people when they need it. Thank you for the power of blessing that you have given us, make me good at using it.

Airbrushed Culture

Joshua 23 the temptation for the Israelites to be influenced by the nations in Canaan was very high. They had already shown over two generations that they were capable of compromise, especially where ornamented women were involved. The Canaanite people that the Israelites were replacing were far more advanced in almost every sense except true worship. The Canaanites had access to beautiful clothes, jewellery and artwork and to advanced practical technologies. The modern desire that many have to travel to Western countries for a “better” life is comparable to the desire the Israelites would have had for the luxuries of Canaan. These luxuries would have naturally tempted them to join with the Canaanites in friendship, to learn how to live this luxurious life. Deuteronomy 21:10-14 requires removal of hair, long nails and changing the clothes of a Canaanite woman for Israelite ones, as well as a mourning period. These instructions seem to be more than for the benefit of the woman. This would have caused the beautification Canaanite women did to themselves to be removed and forced the Israelite man to choose her for herself, not simply her “airbrushed” appearance. While I don’t think this needs to be applied for every couple, and it certainly was not intended that way. It is worth remembering this when courting. But anyway, the more civilised Canaanites would have been alluring to the Israelites, and led them astray, the strict laws made for the entry to the promised land were to make sure that the weak Israelites did not fall into apostasy.