DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 26 February 2025: Are You Qualified?
Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-12 (KJV)
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
KEY VERSE: 1 Timothy 3:10
“And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”
Whenever applications for a job are invited, there are prescribed qualifications to determine the suitability of the applicants. There are usually, general considerations such as experience, certification, and communication skills, physical abilities, among others. Besides the general qualifications, there are issues with specific knowledge as they relate to the job for which an applicant is being considered. This will mark out the certified structural engineer from the mason or carpenter, as highly skilled jobs than demand more endowments. These qualifications are intended to identify applicants who are likely to perform successfully on the job and to drop those who are deemed unsuitable.
In our text, Paul the Apostle itemizes the qualifications needed for ministry work. He points out clearly that ministerial duty is a job, an office. It is then clear that ministry work is for those who are prepared and qualified in line with God’s standards. It has its distinctive. While there are some subtle clarifications on each office, the qualifications are generally the same. The primal requirement is to be “blameless”. A minister must of necessity be without reproach in every area of life.
The other qualifications can be briefly categorised as having a good family with a good and godly wife and children, being of good character, being faultless, and being scripturally sound. He must also be experienced, living in peace with his neighbours. He must be in one accord with church members. These are qualifications for ministry service.
Believers must approximate the high virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ to work for His Kingdom. If the people of the world place a high premium on the competence of those they engage in their organisations, the kingdom of God must not become a dumping ground for people who failed in other areas of life, or who now seek it out as an easy way to earn a living. For His work, God requires only “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness”. They must also be “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.” Are you in ministry? How qualified are you?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The kingdom work deserves the best qualifications.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Luke 23-24
Daily Manna 26 February 2025
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