SCRIPTURE: Amos 4-6; Psalm 86; Titus 1
Titus 1:5-9
I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.
OBSERVATIONS: I can’t seem to avoid the clear admonition of God to delegate responsibility to leaders who qualify. Paul has several criterion for leadership and makes no bones about it.
APPLICATION: Joey, a failure in one of these areas can result in the appearance of failure in all of these areas — a loss of credibility and integrity. Seek these qualities in yourself before you seek them in others.
PRAYER: God, remind me of my obligations to You. Teach me daily that my faithfulness and obedience to you will qualify me for leadership. Remind me of these qualities outlined by your servant Paul within the context of your will for me each day, and not the other way around. For the sake of the Name, Amen.
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