Management material

We are studying in the first chapter of Titus, and Paul has been giving instructions to the younger minister. He's telling him how to choose the leaders for the new churches in Crete, and last week we saw that elders must have spiritual maturity in their home life.

This week we will focus on the potential elder's maturity in his personal character:

For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, (Titus 1:7-8)

Let's dig in!

Last week, we discussed how Paul used the term "above reproach," and we see here that he uses another term: "as God's steward."

This word, steward, deserves a good look. It's a word that has been declining in usage, but its most common usage today describes the position of a person who works on a ship or an airplane! The responsibilities include taking care of the passengers. . . . . However, when we see in the Bible that we are instructed to be a good steward, it's not telling us to get a job as housekeeping staff on a sailing ship! 

The scholars say that the word steward translates from the Greek "oikonomon" and the word in English that most closely approximates it is the word "manager." In fact, there are some Bible translations which now use the term manager. The managers mentioned in scripture were often similar to managers in our world today; they would oversee accounts, households, and businesses.

A manager is someone who is given the responsibility to take care of something on behalf of someone else. A manager or steward has authority but works for the owner. But what makes someone a good steward according to the Bible? 

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  (Luke 12:42-43, NIV)

There is the key! A good steward is a servant who is mindful that our Savior may return at any time. It's the person who behaves like he is a servant and will be held accountable for his care of others. In the case of our prospective elder, it is of paramount importance for him to remember that the church is the household of God.

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (I Timothy 3:15)

So, elders must remember that they will give an account to Him of how they have been stewards of His church.

Paul now lists negative qualities that an elder must not have, and after that, he lists positive qualities he must have.

First, an elder must not be "self-willed." This word carries the meaning of pleasing oneself, and refers to a person who is obstinate about his opinion being the only correct one . . . . a person who asserts his own rights and does not care about the feelings and interests of others. 

Sometimes the self-willed person takes the contrary view from the group just because!! A self-willed man will find it difficult (or impossible) to admit he is wrong, and he's definitely not a team player, like he should be. 

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise. (Proverbs 12:15, NASB)

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (Romans 12:16)

An elder must also avoid being quick-tempered. If a man is always one spark away from blowing up, or if he uses anger to get his own way, he is not a good choice for an elder.

You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

Instead, patience, kindness, and self-control are the fruit of the Spirit that should be seen in a spiritually mature man. It is he who is a good candidate for being an elder.