More "should nots"

We have a couple more "should not" items to wade through, and then we will get to the positive stuff from Paul.

Here is our verse:

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. (Titus 1:7, NIV)

Paul says an elder should not be addicted to wine and his word here includes all alcoholic beverages. The Bible does not expressly prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages, but it certainly does warn about the danger! Especially for leaders.

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
    whoever is led astray by them is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1) 

It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. (Proverbs 31:4-5)

Paul warned the Ephesians that alcohol led to sin:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)

Church leaders have to be especially careful. Why? Because they must not cause younger believers to stumble. Let's say that a new Christian had previously had a problem with drinking - if he sees an elder drinking and that example causes the new Christian to slip back into his addicted ways, the elder would be responsible to some extent. So, if an elder chooses to drink alcohol at all, he needs to be careful and be an example to the flock that God has entrusted to his care.

Next, Paul says an elder should not be violent. He's not just talking about hitting other people! He also is referring to a man who is verbally combative. Of course, it goes without saying that an elder should never strike anyone, especially his wife and children. Paul's point is that an elder should not be a man who uses violence to solve conflict. Responding to conflict with aggression or being a bully is not a good trait for an elder.

Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (II Corinthians 12:10)

Lastly, Paul says an elder must not pursue dishonest gain. In his letter to Timothy, he phrases it this way:

not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. (I Timothy 3:3)

Money itself is not evil, but it is dangerous. A greedy man, a man who thinks there's not problem with dishonest ways of making money, is not qualified to be an elder. Greedy men are not godly, and they will be tempted to take advantage of people or of church funds.

Next time we study, we will "accentuate the positive"!