The Matter of Alcohol Consumption

621 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:3 not given to wine, Next on the list of pastoral qualifications is the pastor must not be given to wine. So, you want to be a pastor. How are you doing with alcoholic beverages or any other mind altering substances? Something that a pastor needs to remember is he is the shepherd of the flock. As the shepherd he is on call 24/7. You never know when that phone is going to ring with a bleating sheep on the other end who is crying out for spiritual help, and you better have your wits about you.. This qualification for a pastor does not forbid the use of wine, in fact later on in this letter Paul tells Timothy, 1Ti 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. What is forbidden is crossing that line of impaired judgment. The word “given” here means, “staying near wine,” a “tippler” A what? A tippler, one who drinks by habit or continuously. If you have to have a stash of your favorite alcoholic beverage on hand to soothe your mind or your emotions, you've got a problem and need to get help. Still another issue for the pastor is public consumption of alcohol that could result in the fall of a weaker brother or sister who is struggling with the sin of drunkenness. Ro 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. It's interesting that this qualification is thrown out there by the Holy Spirit. The implication is that these pastors that would lead these early church plants, likely had some sheep with alcohol abuse issues. It was part of their culture. It would be like pastoring a church in Wisconsin. Drunkenness is a serious sin, and needs to be dealt with in the flock. 1Co 6:10, reminds us that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the very next verse offers hope for the drunkard, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. These newly appointed pastors of these newly organized congregations would need to lead by example, and as the Word was rightly preached, the sheep could have victory over this sin, as they confess it and receive God's forgiveness. Sometimes this is an ongoing struggle, and to the alcoholic AND the CONGREGATION I say, DON'T GIVE UP! Let repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation be your guide and goal.