Open Heavens Feb 11th, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Dan 10-12

CONDUCT TOWARDS ELDERS

MEMORIZE: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim. 5:17)

READ: 1Timothy 5:17-19

Proper home training is lacking among Spirit-filled Christians today. Such people are unable to apply common sense on simple moral or ethical issues. 'Common sense' is not as common after all. One of the issues that should be properly addressed is how we handle our elders. Honoring elders is a vital part of home training. 1 Peter 5:5 says, "Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility. For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble". God expects you to treat elders with great humility. For instance, if you see an elder carrying some heavy load, do not wait to be invited before you assist him. Some ministers or workers will see their pastors carrying some load, but they would pretend they saw nothing. It is an evidence of no good home training. When you have an elder as a subordinate, send him on errands not with force but with love, respect and humility.

Similarly, if you are sitting down in church or in a bus, and there are no more seats, and you see an elder standing, you should immediately rise and offer him your seat. You should not allow an elder to greet you first. If you are travelling on a narrow road and an elder is coming, you should wait to give way to the elder. 1 Timothy 5:1-2 says, "Rebuke not an elder, but in treat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity". It is wrong to scold an elder like you would do to your mate or child. Some people rebuke their pastor like a child right in front of members. They call it boldness but it is a lack of home training.

When you see your elder sweeping, cleaning, washing or doing some other chores, you should immediately take over such chores. When dealing with elders, you can easily receive a blessing or a curse; hence you should be very careful with them. You are commanded to treat elders as your father and mother. You should care for them, feel for them and always prefer them. Your pastor by virtue of his office is an elder even if he was 10 years old. You should treat him with great respect as you would treat your father. He is not perfect. If he does something wrong, prayerfully bring it to his notice. Be humble, patient and loving.

ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to multiply His grace on all our elders and pastors. Ask God to give you grace to become an elder too.