Frank's Bible Blog

1 Timothy 6-- For the Love of Money

Money is a basic necessity of life. But its one of those things that can bring out the worst in people, even believers. Much of 1 Timothy 6 focuses on the dangers of loving money. The principle that should guide our lives, whether we have a lot of money or a little, is "godliness with contentment is great gain" (v6). When we shift our focus to getting rich or staying rich, rather than first pleasing God, we set ourselves up for the traps of "harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." If you have received wealth then "do not be arrogant nor put...hope in wealth" (v17). We should all keep our focus upward regardless of the amount in our bank accounts.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

1 Timothy 5-- Making Everyday Special

One Christmas Day, our family decided to visit a nursing home to find residents who had no family to visit them. Our goal was to try and brighten someone's day. While that was just our family trying to do something small for someone else, 1 Timothy 5 gives instructions on making a difference in people's lives all year long. The church is instructed on how it is to care for widows, as well as other people in the congregation. Verses 1-2 summarize how we are to treat everyone--like members of our own family. The chapter goes on to say that the church should care for those who are really in need--older widow women who have no family and can't take care of themselves. Also addressed here are those who lead the church. They are to receive "double honor" from their flock. Most of all, we should show no partiality in how we treat people within the church (v20). Let's do what we can to bless those with whom we worship each week.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

1 Timothy 4-- From Bookshelves to Real Living

Leadership is a hot topic today both in the church and society in general. More and more bookstore space is being given to the topic as it seems a new title hits the shelves daily. Personally, I enjoy reading books on leadership and usually find them helpful. But there is one book, the Bible, that has been guiding leaders for hundreds of years. Its timeless truths don't need any revisions and are applicable to today. Consider 1 Timothy 4 which provides eight instructions for godly leadership. First, godly leaders should point out false teachings (vv1-6). They should be disciplined in their pursuit of godliness (v8). Third, they should continually proclaim the gospel (vv9-11) while also being a consistent example of the believers (v12). They should be able to publicly instruct others in the Word of God (v13). It is also important for them to discover and develop their own spiritual gifts so that they in turn can help others develop their gifts (v14). Leaders should never stop growing (v15). Finally, leaders need to guard themselves and their beliefs (v16). These are timeless leadership expectations that every Christian leader should meet.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

1 Timothy 3-- Help Wanted

If you've ever looked at employment ads, either on-line or in the newspaper, one of the first thing you probably looked for were the job requirements. The title may have sounded good, but could you meet the requirements? 1 Timothy 3 is like a job listing for pastors and deacons. Now it is easy to skip over this section of you are not a pastor or deacon or if you do not have aspirations to become one. But I would encourage you to take a closer look at the passage because there are some qualifications that we all should have. These include having a good reputation with those outside the faith (v7), being above reproach (v2), and holding the "deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience" (v9). These are great characteristics with which we all should strive to be extremely well qualified.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

1 Timothy 2-- What Does a Christian Look Like?

If you were to ask people you meet on the street "what does a Christian look like" you will probably get all kinds of answers. These answers will vary with the person's religious background, their exposure to Christianity, and even their culture. There are some principles, however, that Paul gives Timothy in chapter two that apply to all believers in any culture. Men, for example, should exhibit a life of holiness without anger and arguing. Men should be serious about prayer (v8).  Women should dress "modestly, with decency" (v9). While the definition of this is certainly open to interpretation and varies by culture, most of us can tell immodesty when we see it. The point is that women need to seek God's direction on what is appropriate first, rather than letting pop culture dictate it. This doesn't mean women have to dress in a style that is 50 years old, nor should they be legalistic about their wardrobe. It just means that whether it's clothes or anything else in life, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to what is appropriate within the context of our culture and society. Most of all, however, men and women live lives that honor Christ and draw others to Him (vv4-7). Lives marked by praying for others, especially those in governmental authority (vv1-3). What a Christian should look like, regardless of culture or time, is a person of prayer who lives in holiness and godliness.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.

1 Timothy 1-- Herding Cats

Several years ago a commercial debuted during the Super Bowl that showed cowboys herding cats. One cowboy says "herding cats--don't let anyone tell you it's easy." Another one says "being a cat herder is about the toughest thing I've ever done." The commercial then cuts to two more cowboys discussing the injuries received while cat herding. The spot closes telling how this particular company is able to bring things together and make them go where you want. Many times leadership is like herding cats, especially if you are leading other leaders. Paul had some great advice for Timothy, one of the original "cat herders." In chapter 1 he tells Timothy that he has to stand up to those who are teaching false doctrines in the church (vv3-11). Even though these were leaders, as the leader of leaders, Timothy had a responsibility before God to make sure God's word was not distorted by those who really did not understand it. Second, Paul encourages Timothy to stay humble by reminding Timothy of Paul's own background. Even though Paul had become a great leader in the church, he never forgot that it was because he "obtained mercy" (v13) and "the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant" (v14). Finally, Paul says there are times that a leader must go on the offensive and "wage the good warfare" (v18) with "faith and a good conscience" against the Devil and those he would use to destroy the church (v20). Yes, sometimes leadership is like herding cats. And sometimes, like those cowboys, injuries can come. But as one cowboy said at the end of the commercial, "It ain't an easy job, but when you bring a herd into town and you ain't lost a one of them, there ain't a feeling like it in the world." That's leadership.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.