Dear Student of the Word,
It's been a few weeks since you have received a Bible study, so it's time to catch up. We have one more chapter to cover in Titus and then one study from Philemon and one from Jude and we are finished with our New Testament studies. After we finish, I will begin to re-circulate some of my past studies until they are all on the blog site where this is posted.
This week we continue to look at Paul's instructions for Titus who had remained behind in Crete to set things in order in the church there. This week I wrote on day five of this seven-day study:
v. 9 – Some read into this advice that Paul advocated slavery. He did not. He was powerless, however, to change it as one could be today with access to political action strategies. What’s more, Paul was concerned for the Way and how it would be perceived by the dominant culture as we stated earlier, so he wanted believing slaves to model exemplary behavior toward their masters.
Whenever I encounter Paul’s instructions toward slaves, I tend to substitute the word “employee” for “slave.” So the advice for moderns would be, “You employees, respect your supervisors and don’t talk back to them.” Peter also gave advice to slaves/employees in his epistle:
Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:18-21).
v. 10 – Paul further explained that he wanted the church’s doctrine to be attractive to all, including masters. So he was not just interested in good public relations, but also in evangelism. He wanted slaves to lead their masters to Christ! Paul kept his eye on the prize at all times and the prize for him was seeing the Gentiles come to know the Lord. So slaves were to be respectful and disciplined in speech. What’s more, they were not to steal and pilfer.
I remember a time when I felt impressed to write my employer a $25 check to replace all the paper, paper clips, postage and other office supplies that I had carelessly used. I had pilfered and stolen supplies that belonged to my company. There is another way to steal from your company and that is through wasted time. If you are being paid for work and are not working, then you are stealing.
Paul wanted slaves/employees to prove that they can be trusted without supervision.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:22-24).
So, what kind of employee are you? How is your relationship with your supervisor(s)? Do you give your best at work? Do you act your best at work? Would people there know that you are a Christian, not by what you say, but by what you do? Do you want to be promoted based on what you know and your expertise rather than on your character and integrity?
As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. For additional New Testament Bible studies, check out my website archive, which contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews, 1-3 John and Revelation, along with the unpublished volumes of The Faith Files.
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OPERATION PETTICOAT: You can read about my underwear project at Operation: Petticoat. Speaking of creativity, I recently heard from a fascinating recycling organization called Bra Recyclers! They are making a large donation to the cause and are promoting it aggressively. I am going back to Kenya on May 13, so I have set April 30 as my deadline to raise money to purchase underwear here and take it over there (which will cost me money for excess luggage).
You can give through my website or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Just let me know if your contribution is to be used for food or underwear and I promise to apply it where you direct. As stated above, $700 came in last week for Operation: Petticoat and just a little for The Sophia Fund! Thank you for your help.
KENYA TRAINING: Last week I provided the specifics for The Pacific Institute (TPI) seminar I will conduct in Nairobi from May 17-19. Attached below is the brochure for the event. Frankly speaking, TPI is the best training I have ever experienced and I love to share it with my friends. I invite you to join me in Nairobi for what I know will be a life-changing experience.
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