Pastor – Nurture Your Call, Life and Gifts!

A godly minister must have a proper motivation for the office.  This ministerial position is a role, as much as it  is a quality of character and an endowment of gifts.  Biblical eldership (ruling or teaching) is the faithful service of a faith-filled and faithful servant.

God has given his people a calling. The first and most important calling is to a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. God calls all people through the means of the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus Christ (his obedient life and his sacrificial death to atone for the sins of his people).

This general calling is a universal one given to all whom the Gospel is preached; a call to receive and believe upon Jesus Christ and his life, work, death and resurrection for salvation. This is an external calling (Matt. 22:14; 28:19; Lk. 14:16-24; Acts 13:46; 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Jn. 5:10).  It is a sincere proclamation of the Good News to sinners, exhorting them to turn from their sins and turn to God with belief.

This is also a universal call. God does not consider one’s gender, nationality, race, or status in life when issuing this call (Isa. 55:1ff; Joel 2:32; Matt. 11:28; 22:14; Jn. 3:16; Acts 18:9,10; 2 Cor. 5:20; Rev. 22:17).

Yet there is also a special calling from God that is internal. The Holy Spirit brings the Gospel message to the very heart of the person, and that person is able to receive and believe the Good News of salvation.  This is also called an effectual calling.  It is effectual because the external call is made effective by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of an individual (Acts 13:48; Rom. 1:6; 8:29,30; 11:29; 1 Cor. 1:23-26; Heb. 9:16; 2 Pet. 1:10; Rev. 17:14).

Such a person has the inward call from God, so he is responsive to the gifting and the call of the Holy Spirit in his life (Acts 20:28), and hence he desires the office he has as a believer in Christ (as a child of God, a co-heir, vicegerent, etc.)

Yet God also calls all believers to nurture their relationship with him and to keep their lives right before God (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:8; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal. 5:17-25; Eph. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10; Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Thess. 4:1-12; 2 Tim. 2:19-21; 2 Pet. 3:1-11).  They are to be faithful stewards of Christ, and they are accountable to him through a biblically balanced life (Rom. 14:8, 12; 1 Cor. 9:17; 1 Pet. 4:5).

However, this is all the more true for pastors, elders and deacons.  The New Testament admonition to Timothy is applicable to those who take on the yoke of ministry.  The minister must:  Guard and maintain his life, piety and gifts (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:14-16; 2 Tim. 2:19-21), so that he might have the proper capacity to serve others through Christ (2 Tim. 2:1, 6, 15;  3:16-17).  What’s more is that he should practice and devote himself to godliness in Christ so that others will see progress in his work (1 Tim. 4:15-16).

The purpose of taking care of his life in Christ is not for self-actualization or other self-serving goals, but rather to be of greater service to the Lord and to others.  While this might seem odd, a properly oriented life that is saturated with God through Christ is far better blessing to others.  This is because the greater, more expansive capacity one has for God, the greater capacity for a fruitful ministry.

Check up:

• How are you actively guarding and maintaining your life, piety and gifts?
• Is your capacity to serve others through Christ expanding?
• Are others seeing progress in your walk with Christ?

Jesus is the perfect model of one who, even though sinless, maintained and nurtured his relationship with the Father.  He understood God’s will and was strengthened from above in order to accomplish all that God set out for him to do.  He always made it a priority to spend time with the Father before serving others, yet he was the perfect servant (Matt. 20:28; Lk. 22:27; Jn. 13:5; Phil. 2:7ff). How much more important for those of us who are called to pastoral ministry to do likewise.

The minister needs this time of godly nurturing in order to use the good gift(s) God has placed upon him. In fact, he is called upon to do at least a couple of things:

First, to fan the flame or rekindle the gift(s) of God in his life (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6); and second, to saturate his life with and properly handle God’s Word (1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-16). The minister of God does this by (1) always growing in grace and truth (2 Pet. 3:18),  (2) holding fast to and being nourished by the Word of God (1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 1:13; 3:14-17; Tit. 1:9), (3) rightly handling God’s Word so as to be approved by him (2 Tim. 2:15), (4) contending for the truth of God’s Word (1 Tim. 1:18-19), and finally (5) by guarding the Truth (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:12-14).

So, pastor, here are some closing and heart-provoking questions to consider:

• Are you actively nurturing your life in Jesus Christ?
• How are you fanning the flame or rekindling the gifts God has given you?
• In what way are you saturating your life with and handling God’s Word?

How a Church Can Identify a Potential Elder (or Deacon)

Often, churches will seek out and choose men to serve as deacons or elders merely because they have a charismatic personality, possess some leadership skills, have impressive talents, or are good at business or politics.  However good those things might be, too frequently the requirements that God presents in Scripture are ignored or overlooked. The consequences, then, for bringing a person who has impressive talents or skills, but not the character traits of godly Christlikeness, the spiritual gifts, or even the right motivation has too often been to detriment of the church.

Here is a checklist that can be used as a guide for identifying whether or not an individual is truly qualified for the position and responsibility as an elder or deacon.

Does the man possess the right equipment?

That is, does he have the right gifts for the office of deacon or elder?

• The man has been obviously endowed with God-given spiritual gifts  (Mk. 16:15-18; Lk. 21:15; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:22; Ti. 1:7).

• The potential elder must be knowledgeable of the Scriptures, faithful to its doctrines and is able to teach, exhort-counsel from the Scriptures (1 Thess. 2:11,12; 1 Timothy; Titus 3).

• The potential elder must be gifted to lead as a servant of God (1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17).

• The potential elder or deacon is gifted to serve others (Acts 20:24f; Rom. 15:26-33).

• He must be able to share his material resources with others (Acts 4; Eph. 4:28).

• The potential officer is currently demonstrating a heart of mercy (Matt. 25; 1 Cor. 12:28)

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Does the potential officer of God’s Church possess the right motivation?

• The man has expressed that he has an inward call and desire from God to serve.

• He is faithful and shows an above-average commitment to the Lord, this church, and his family.

• He is obviously responsive to the gifting and the call of the Holy Spirit in his life (Acts 20:28).

• He desires to serve in the capacity of deacon or elder (1 Tim. 3:1).

• His motives are biblical and Christ-like (1 Peter 5:1ff).

• Not only does he have the inward call of God, but God’s people in this church recognize his call as a qualified and legitimate (Acts 6; Jer. 23:32; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4).

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Does the man possess the right character?

As Kevin Reed points out, “these qualities (character qualities found in 1st and 2^nd Timothy, Titus and 1 Peter) focus upon the three important aspects of a man’s life: his moral behavior, his knowledge of Christian doctrine, and his family life. An elder continually will be in public view. The respect an officer receives often depends more on an example of good character than from anything else about him” (Biblical Church Government, p. 9). All godly men should have these qualities, but the man who is selected for office in Christ’s kingdom must be measured by these qualities to see if he is ready for the office (1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Ti, 2:7,8). Every person in Christ is called to put off the old sinful nature and put on these traits of Christ. Though no man, candidate or officer in Christ’s Church demonstrates any or all of these qualities perfectly, nevertheless it must be obvious that the officer has and demonstrates most of these qualities with consistent regularity.

Does the man measure up to what the Word of God requires for godly character (not perfectly nor completely, but obviously and substantially):

• The candidate is above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6).

• He has restrained control in his life (1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Thess. 5:6,8).

• He is a true gentle man (approachable, kind, gracious, firm yet diplomatic) (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:23-25; Matt. 11:29; Acts 24:4; 2 Cor. 10:1; 1 Thess. 2:7; James 3:17).

• He is not pugnacious, not prone to violence  (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7; Prov. 3:30; 15:18; 17:14; 20:3; 25:8; 26:17; Phil. 2:3).

• He is not quarrelsome  (1 Tim. 3:2, 3; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; Ti. 3:9 Eccl. 10:4; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; Heb. 12:14; Jas. 3:17).

• He is not greedy (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7 cp. 1 Tim. 6:5-10; Acts 20:33; 2 Tim. 3:6-7).

• He is not given easily to selfish anger (Ti. 1:7; Pro. 16:32).

• He is not over-indulgent or a drunk (1 Tim. 3:3; Ti. 1:7). The principle is that he has disciplined control over bodily appetites (Gen. 19; Prov. 20:1; 23; Eccles. 10:17; Isa. 5:11; Isa. 28:1; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18).

• He is self-controlled (Ti. 1:8; Eph. 5:4; Acts 24:25; Rom. 6:12; Jas. 3:2; 2 Pet. 1:5-7; Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet. 5:8).

• He is truly humble (not self-willed)   (Luke 14:10; Phil 2:3; Ti. 1:7; Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5; Rom. 12:3, 10, 16).

• The candidate is holy (religiously, biblically devout, pious) (Ti. 1:8; Lev. 11:45; Luke 1:74,75; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:11).

• His persona and life demonstrate biblical hospitality  (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:10; Ti. 1:9; 1 Pet. 4:9; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2).

• He is just (upright, righteous, impartial in dealing with people) (Ti. 1:8; Deut. 16:20; Psa. 82:3; Prov. 21:3; Isa. 56:1; Rom. 13:7; Col. 4:1).

• The man is a lover of good (has a love of virtue, good men and things)  (Ti. 1:8; 1 Thess. 5:21; Heb. 3:6; 4:14; 10:23; Rev. 3:3).

• He is prudent, wise (skilled at bringing God’s thoughts to bear on all matters of life) (1 Tim. 3:2; Ti. 1:8; Proverbs).

• He is respectable (well-ordered, well-arranged, decorous in behavior and speech; good manners) (1 Tim. 3:2).

My Personal, Spiritual Assessment

On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present.1 Timothy 4:7b-8

I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Rev. 3:1-3

 

Take time this month to reflect on your life this past year. Use this outline as a guide to assess how you have (of have not) grown in your spiritual life and walk with Jesus Christ. You can use a scale such as:

5(excellent) 4 (good) 3 (so-so) 2 (bad) 1 (very bad and sad)

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1.    Spiritual (relationship with God)

a.      I have grown in my prayer life?

___ I pray regularly.

___ My prayers reflect biblical prayers (or have they merely been a shopping list for God?)

___ I have been faithfully praying for others.

___ I pray with others (such as at prayer meetings)?

___ I pray with and for my family?

 

b.      How is my life in worship?

___ I have sought to glorify God in all things every day.

___ I have regular, personal times of worship with God.

___ I am committed to regular morning worship.

___ I understand, believe, and have acted upon the biblical

teaching that the Lord’s Day is God’s Day to be spent delighting in Him?

 

c.      Enjoying and fellowship with God

___ God is the savior and lord of my entire life.

___ I am a biblical disciple of Jesus Christ (as opposed to merely someone who is a formal Christian)

___ God has been at the center of my thoughts, motives and actions nearly every day.

___ I enjoy the Lord? I delight in the Lord (instead of finding true happiness in other things)

 

2.   Character (becoming more like Christ)

___ When I compare the character traits of a believer in Christ (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Romans 12; Galatians 5; Ephesians 4ff and Colossians 3ff; etc.) I can see positive growth in Christ-likeness.

___ Others have noticed a change in me to being more like Jesus

___ My life is more disciplined and I exercise more frequently the fruit of the Spirit in being self-controlled.

___ For the most part my emotions are under control (temper, depression, etc.) instead of allowing them to rule my thoughts and actions.

___ Much of 1 Corinthians 13 is true of me.

___ There have been a change in my attitudes.

___ I am more courageous than I was a year ago.

___ I am more passionate (as opposed to apathetic).

___ I am more hopeful.

___ I am more confident.

___ I am less proud and learning the grace of humility.

___ I have used the means of grace God has given me to become more like Him (Baptism, Lord’s Supper, Preaching and teaching of the Word, and prayer).

 

3. Comprehension – I have definitely grown in grace and truth regarding, knowing more:

___ Of God

___ Of God’s Word (hearing, studying, understanding, memorizing, meditating)

___ Of myself before the face of God

___ Of my area of labor or calling

 

4.  Competency – God has blessed me so that I have become more competent in:

___ In life skills (wisdom).

___ In my talents.

___ In spiritual giftedness.

___ In relationships.

___ In communication skills.

___ As a husband and/or father.

___ As a wife and/or mother.

___ As a son or daughter.

___ As a member of the church.

___ In my field of labor (professionally).

 

5.   I have a plan for personal growth for the next year.

___ Yes, I have made a commitment to personal growth? It is clear, cogent and written out.

___ I have established habits of successful growth.

___ I have intentionally developed a climate for change and growth in life.

___ Since true success always includes others, I am developing relationships with growing people?

___ I have a mentor.

___ I am a mentor.

___ I will spend quality time with growing people.

___ I will invest my life into others to help them grow.

John 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

 

A Self-Exam in Christ-like Character

Here is a self-check to help you evaluate how you are growing and changing into Christ-like character.  These qualities are important for all believers to have, but are also necessary for the elders of a local church to possess.

As you advance through this list of character traits, use the first blank line to rate yourself on a scale of 1-10:  1 meaning this character trait is lacking, almost difficult to notice in your life; while 10 would mean that you are very, very strong and are a good example of this quality. Then enlist your spouse or family member rate you on the second line. You could enlist a neighbor, workmate or friend rate you using the third line.

1.   I am above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6)

To be above reproach means that I am blameless.  There is nothing about my life that is open to rebuke.  To be above reproach has to do with the general character or sum total of godly virtues. It means I am not open to censure because I have an impeachable integrity that is in accord with Biblical requirement for leadership.  This does not mean I am perfect in all qualities, but that I substantially reflect godly virtues.

Score:    __________            __________               __________

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2.  I am temperate (1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Thess. 5:6,8)

Temperate means to be sober; that I am clearheaded and self-controlled. There is a restrained control and sobriety of life. I am free from excesses and not inebriated with the details of life.

I am self-controlled because the work of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5; Phil. 2:13) It’s not that I am required to be a strictly disciplined person, but rather I am to be someone who is disciplined yet properly flexible in the use and application of all things for the glory of God.

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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a.  I am temperate in that I am not given to much wine (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7)

I do not linger over wine and am not over-indulgent or a drunk.  I control the wine or drink; it does not control me.   The principle has to do with having control over my bodily appetites (Gen. 19; Prov. 20:1; 23; Eccles. 10:17; Isa. 5:11; 28:1; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18).

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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b. I am temperate in that I am not greedy (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7)

My life is not characterized by covetousness (Exod. 20:17; Deut. 5:21).  I am not a lover of money.  The acquisition of money or things is not a central priority in my life. Heavenly priorities dominate (Matt. 6:33).  I do not seek meaning or comfort in things.

I have a firm conviction about resisting dishonest and shady methods for acquiring money or things (1 Tim. 3:8).  I recognize that one of the deadly sins of a godly leader is greed (Acts 20:33; 1 Tim. 6:5-10; 2 Tim. 3:6-7).

Score:      __________       __________       __________

 

c.  Temperate, I am not given to selfish anger (Tit. 1:7)

I do not have a trigger temper or an irritable disposition. I am not too easily offended, which would make me unapproachable and unpredictable in temper (Prov. 16:32).

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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d. My overall character is marked by self-control (Tit. 1:8)

In Christ I have a mastery over self.  My passions and appetites are controlled.  I am not lazy, gluttonous or given to filthy talk (Eph. 5:4).  I have an ordered life, which reflects heavenly pursuits and priorities (Matt. 26:41; Acts 24:25; Rom. 6:12; 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Pet. 1:5-7; Jas. 3:2).

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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3.  I am gentle (2 Sam. 22:36; Ps. 18:35; 1 Tim. 3:2, 3 )

The idea of gentleness, a very important quality in a godly leader, is that of being gracious, kind, mild, patient, and reasonable.  A gentle person is caring, considerate and has an ability  to sympathize.  The gentle one shows carefulness in choosing words and expressions so as  not to unnecessarily offend (Gal. 6:1).

I reflect care, affection and good-will toward others (Eph. 4:2).  I am not abrupt or critical in my communications.  Gentleness is a quality the godly leader is to pursue (1 Tim. 6:11). In short, I exercise gentleness in the fruit of God’s Spirit (Gal. 5:23; Phil. 4:5).  Here are some characteristic ways I am biblically gentle:

a.   As a true gentle person I am

(1) Approachable

(2) Firm, but diplomatic even when correcting opponents (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:23-25)

(3) Kind and gracious like Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:29; Acts 24:4; 2 Cor. 10:1; 1 Thess. 2:7)

(4) Wise, who exercises wisdom in gentleness (Jas. 3:17)

Score:     __________         __________         __________

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b.  As a gentle person I am not pugnacious (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7)

Pugnacious is someone who physically hits or strikes another.  Overall, I am not prone to violence or  physically abusive.  However, pugnacious has the idea of being contentious. Therefore, I am not one who is harsh with words. I don’t lash out when hurt or incite arguments, or alienate people through an attacking manner.  I don’t follow through with an angry temper (Prov. 3:30; 15:18; 17:14; 20:3; 25:8; 26:17; Phil. 2:3).

Score:            __________                        __________                        __________

c. I am gentle and therefore not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:2, 3; 2 Tim. 2:14)

I am averse to verbal fighting, quarreling, or arguing.  However, I know what, when, and how to properly debate.  I do not delight in out doing others or defeating their ideas and beliefs.  There is no harsh dogmatism about my life. I do not have an offensive approach toward people (1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; Tit. 3:9).  On the positive side, I have a sense of peace, tranquility, and calmness.  I am a peacemaker who tries to bring calm to a stormy situation (Eccles. 10:4; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; Heb. 12:14; Jas. 3:17).

Score:            __________                        __________                        __________

 

4.  God has graced me with an ever-increasing humility (Luke 14:10; Phil 2:3; Tit. 1:7; Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5)

I know where I stand before the face of an almighty, just and holy God.  Humility means that I am not a self-willed, self-pleasing egoist.  I am not obstinate, domineering, and arrogant.  That means that I do not stand hard on every minor thing I believe, and do not insist on having my own way, ideas, or beliefs.  I have a genuine interest in others and in what they say.

Being self-willed is also characteristic of one who delights too much in appearance, performance, or status to the obvious neglect of others.  Humility is being teachable. It is thinking rightly and truthfully about oneself (Rom. 12:3, 10, 16).

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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5.  I am holy (Tit. 1:8 )

This word means to be biblically devout, pious and worshipful.  I daily offer myself as a pure and acceptable living sacrifice to God.  I consistently live out the Gospel life-style in the private and public affairs of life.  I am living out the Spirit-filled life of Christ before the face of an all-seeing God (Lev. 11:45; Luke 1:74,75; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 3:11).

Score:       __________              __________               __________

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6.   I am hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2; 5:10; Tit. 1:9; 1 Pet. 4:9)

To be hospitable in the biblical sense means that one is a lover of strangers.  The truly hospitable person is Jesus.  He gave us a parable of real hospitality in the Good Samaritan.  The love of Christ in me exhibits itself by loving my neighbor as myself.  I am kind and actively compassionate to others, even strangers.  This love of heart is expressed with an open door, demonstrating a kind, compassionate, welcoming Savior. The biblical leader is a pacesetter in hospitality (Rom. 12:13; Heb.13:2).

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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7.  I am just (Tit. 1:8 )

To be just is to be fair, upright and righteous.  I am impartial when I deal with people. I work hard to forget personal preferences and to seek the truth in situations especially that involve      interpersonal conflicts. I am a fair umpire over relational differences, because I have the ability to  hear both  sides and weigh the evidence honestly.  I speak what is right and true (Deut.16:20; Ps. 82:3;  Prov. 21:3; Isa. 56:1; Rom. 13:7; Col. 4:1).

Score:      __________         __________         __________

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8.  I am a lover of good (Tit. 1:8 )

To be a lover of good is to have an active compassion toward others and to promote goodness.  It is to have a love of virtue, good people and good things.  My affections are attached to the Lord, to good things and to godly people rather than being drawn toward worldly pleasures and gratifications. My concern is toward godliness, Spirit-empowered obedience to God’s Word, and an anticipation of the world to come.  I love God’s good life more than such things as position, fame, abilities, possessions, etc., which are soon to pass away (1 Thess. 5:21; Heb. 3:6; 4:14; 10:23; Rev. 3:3).

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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9.  I am respectable (1 Tim. 3:2)

To be respectable is to be well-ordered, well-arranged, and decorous in dress, behavior and speech.  The term may refer to manners, etiquette, and personal habits.  It carries the idea of having a simplicity of life-style rather than being eccentric or extravagant.  It can also have a general reference to a disciplined, honorable and well- ordered life.  I am modest in my dress, inoffensive in my hygiene and eating habits.  I have socially acceptable manners.  I treat others with respect, and have a good sociability with various people. My lifestyle is  unpretentious, modest, and easygoing.

Score:       __________              __________              __________

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Resources

Armstrong, John H. edit. Reforming Pastoral Ministry. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001.

Bridges, Jerry. The Practice of Godliness. Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1983.

____________ The Pursuit of Holiness.    Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1978.

Fisher, David. The 21^st Century Pastor. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.

Fisher, David. The 21^st Century Pastor. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.

Hughes, R. Kent. Disciplines of a Godly Man. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991.

Lutzer, Erwin. Pastor to Pastor. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998.

Packer, J.I.  Rediscovering Holiness. Servant Press, nd.

Prime, Derek, and Alistair Begg. On Being a Pastor. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004.

(c) Dr. D. Thomas Owsley – All Rights Reserved

Growing in the Character of Grace, not Greed

And he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’ (Luke 12:15 NKJV)

Let your conduct be without covetousness:  be content with such things as you have.  For he himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV)

______________________________

There are certain character traits of Jesus Christ, the real man, which God calls all who believe in Christ to possess and grow. One of those significant traits is temperance, which is the quality of being self-controlled (Matt. 26:41; Acts 24:25; Rom. 6:12; 1 Cor. 10:12; 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Pet 1:5-7; Jas. 3:2; Titus 1:8).

A real man (defined and depicted by Jesus) is temperate.  This is because he is filled with Christ’s Spirit whose fruit is self-control (Gal. 5:22ff).  He is also temperate because he learns and applies more and more the quality of grace, for he has been touched and blessed by God’s grace.

If you are in Christ, such temperance will be revealed by your control over your appetites. You have a sobriety of mind, soul and body, not being consumed by or coveting the incidentals or details of life.  One important aspect of this God-given self-government is moderation as opposed to covetousness or greed.

God has much to say against covetousness or greed.  For one, his 10^th commandment tells us not to be greedy (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21). God’s prophets hammered against the injustices of Israel’s leadership and the rich for their greediness, which played out in a near absence of grace and mercy to others (Prov. 28:16; Jer. 6:13; Ez. 33:31; Mic. 2:2; Hab. 2:9).  The psalmist in Psalm 10:3, makes it clear when he says, “…the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy but renounces the Lord!”

Jesus warned against greed in Luke 12 when he pronounced that our lives do not consist, or as we would say, do not receive their value, in the abundance of things.  The Apostle Paul warned God’s people that fornication, immorality and greed (which is idolatry) should not even be a characteristic by which Christians are identified (Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5)!  How revealing when we condemn sexual sins and immorality, especially of unbelievers, but ignore the fact that greed is just as heinous in God’s eyes.   What’s more is that he tells us to kill off such negative traits in our own lives.  Hard to swallow, isn’t it?

We are to put on self-control and renounce greed for several reasons. First, greed is idolatry. It is idolatry because it usurps the place that rightfully belongs to God. This idol of the heart clamors for the kind of attention and devotion only God deserves; and it causes us to forget about God (Deut. 8:13, 14). Covetousness is idolatry because it also pretends to answer the needs of our lives or fill the longings of our hearts.  How often our consumption of things or the love of money fails in those ways (Eccles. 5:10).  Such pursuits and things are fleeting and vaporous. Read Proverbs 23:5, 27:24, and 28:22 for a check on reality.

Second, greed is selfish.  It’s an all-consuming desire to acquire far more than you need or deserve.  The greedier, more selfish you and I are, the less likely we will be kind, gracious, caring, or merciful toward others, especially to those who are in need.

Third, covetousness, especially of money (the love of money) is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10).  We only have to turn on the news to see the results of such evil, not merely with Wall Street, but also on our neighborhood street. The pressure to keep up with the Joneses, the frantic pursuit of toys and pleasures,  the motivation to sell our souls out to our jobs rather than for God or for our families, the allurement of power and prestige through greed drives the illicit drug trade, are only a few of the sinister effects of this disease.  I believe this is something about which Paul writes when he says that “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9).  James was just as poignant in his letter (see James 5).

Fourth, greed chokes out God’s Word.  It diminishes our ability to really hear God speaking to our hearts (Matt. 4:19).  Perhaps this is why so many of us are stagnant in our growth in Christ or why we are unable to apply and obey what God tells us to be like and to do?

Fifth, covetousness blocks your ability to enter into Christ’s kingdom!  Jesus said in Matthew 19:23 that it is quite hard, often impossible, for a rich man (read:  greedy-rich) to enter into his kingdom. Greed is s deadly sin (Acts 20:33; 1 Tim. 6:5-10; 2 Tim. 3:6-7); and that because of the reasons stated above.

A real man in Christ daily battles the monster greed.  As a genuine, God-like man you control your appetites.  The acquisition of money or things is not a central priority in your life (Luke 12:16-21; 18:18-23). Granted, your self-governance helps you to work hard, to be wise in the use of money and things, and to control them rather than to allow them to control you.  It is not that having things, such as  a nice house, a decent car, and wonderful amenities is evil. If that is what God  has blessed you with, then you should be thankful and rejoice.  After all, such things are considered blessings from God.

For a Christ-like man, heavenly pursuits and priorities, including the acquisition of God-like character, dominate your heart (Matt. 6:20; 13:44ff).  You seek Christ’s kingdom knowing that all those good blessings and things which provide meaning, purpose, comfort and reward flow from Christ and his kingdom ((Psa. 37:16; Prov. 8:18; 10:22; Matt. 6:33; 19:21; Luke 12:33; 2 Cor. 8:9; Eph. 3:8).

A real man is temperate with things and money. Moderation is a key feature in your life.  To be biblically moderate is to be content with things you have and with the place God has you in right now. There is great advantage to being content in Christ (1 Tim. 6:6,7), especially when you realize that you brought nothing into this world at birth and will leave with nothing at death.

We need to remind ourselves that Christ is the only one who gives value and purpose to our lives.  Once we have come to truly know him and become like him then we can say with Paul that we are content with whatever financial or material situation God places us in.  Paul reminds us that if we have food and clothing, that should be enough (1 Tim. 6:8).

Do you trust in Jesus Christ?  Is his life being formed in you?  If so, then one of the many character traits you will have and grow in more and more is that you will be temperate in that you are not greedy or covetous.