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
“Paul’s primary concern is not finding people with the best skills. His primary concern is character… Skills used for selfish ends become destructive. We see this often enough in history. The tyrants of the world do not get where they are simply through luck. They are people — great orators, charismatic personalities, and strategic thinkers. These skills combine to make them effective leaders, who achieve their aims. The problem is not their capabilities, but their characters. Their aims are selfish and bring misery to those they lead. Such extremes may be less common in the church — but it is not unusual for a gifted person to rise quickly only then to crash — and their church crashes with them.”
Tim Chester in Titus for You (Surrey: The Good Book Company, 2014) 33-34.
Often people think of dishonest gain as gain made through nefarious activities. While that’s undoubtedly part of it, as we have explored the idea of ‘gain’ in the biblical record, there’s another layer that surfaces. What we do with gain makes it either good or bad. When retained for “selfish ends” or one’s own purposes, it actually ruins the person, the gain, and adversely impacts the community of faith. When, alternatively, gain is used for God’s purposes, which are enjoyment and sharing, it enhances the character of the person, reflects God’s design for the use of gain, and blesses the community. While today’s Scripture relates to overseers in God’s house, it reflects the exemplary behavior we should all seek to exhibit.
Father in heaven help us use the skills You have given us for Your glory. Shape our character as selfless servants who earn gain in honest ways and use it with integrity. By your Holy Spirit, as we earn gain honestly, keep us from acting like dishonest robbers who keep for ourselves what belongs to You and what You have entrusted to us for the good of those around us. Mammon’s power is strong and sweeps many people away. Lest we lose our souls, help us maintain the right perspective on gain. In your mercy, hear my prayer for all of us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.