May 30, 2001
Reading
“Exercise
yourself toward godliness” (7).
Two overly used sayings came to my mind when I read these words of Paul to Timothy, his “son in the faith” (1:2) – “going back to basics” and “keeping things in prospective”.
How easy it is to allow ourselves to become dedicated in the work of the Lord and find ourselves deeply involved in things that mean little in the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Such projects may be good in themselves, but how important are they really? If these works come to fruition will they achieve that which was hoped for? Are we more interested in establishing committees to examine the possibility of new carpet, pews, color of paint on the walls and to enlarge a sanctuary that is only half full each Sunday? Does the same congregation have committees set up to develop evangelistic outreach to the local area? Are the prayer meetings and Bible Studies as well attended as the Sunday morning service?
These are poignant questions when held up to the light of our reading. Five things are presented by the Apostle that should take priority over any other concerns:
“Exercise yourself toward godliness” (7). Godliness is presented as a comparison to bodily exercise, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things” (8). Let’s replace bodily exercise with all of our committees are search our heart and see where we stand in this. Have we unwittingly left the basics of our faith and replaced them with works and “business”? Have we replaced the “exercise of godliness” with an emphasis on committees? Which is more important to us?
“Be an example to the believers” (12). Godliness first, then example. True godliness will always produce the fruit of the Spirit. This is what attracts others to God. We need to ask ourselves, “What represents our Master more, carpet and pews, or godliness? I am not slamming a nice structure in which to worship, I am asking if we have our priorities in the correct order.
“Do not neglect the gift that is in you” (14). God has given each of us gifts which should be dedicated back to Him and used in His service. Not all gifts are spiritual; preaching, teaching, etc., but could be in architecture, a gift that can be used in designing a sanctuary. Your gift may be in interior design; but whatever it is, please take note of the order of things: godliness, example, gifts.
“Meditate on these things” (15). Do we spend more time reading, studying and planning for new carpet, etc., than we do meditating on the things of God and how He wants us to serve Him? Do we become so busy serving the Lord that we fail to take time to meditate on Him? It is so easy to fall into this trap.
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them” (15). Examine yourself, be honest in your self evaluation. Confront yourself and your priorities. Consider the order of your priorities. Paul told Timothy to behave in the proper order:
“exercise yourself toward godliness”’
“be an example to the believers”,
“do not neglect the gift that is in you”,
“Meditate on these things” and
“take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them”.
“Seek first the