Be True To Your Word

632 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, Next on the list for the servants of the church is to not be “double-tongued.” Of course this is true for all followers of Jesus, but it is especially important for those who would hold the office of deacon. Deacons are constantly interacting with other members of the congregation and by the very nature of their responsibilities to minister to the needy they will find themselves necessarily involved in conversation with others. This conversation is to be earmarked by consistency. You can't be saying one thing or promising something and then reneging on your promise or saying something else. Perhaps the best-illustration of this is found in our nation's treatment of the American Indian. In the old stereotypical western movies that many of us watched as we were growing up, we often heard the term, “white-man speak with forked tongue.” Well that pretty much sums it up. How many broken promises were given to the Indian people? Jesus said, “Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay.” Broken promises have no place in the Body of Christ, especially when ministering to the needy! With the advent of the welfare state and Social Security, the government has become the chief deacon (agent of ministering to the needs of the poor) in the nation, and sadly in the church, and let's face it, they are not beholding to the same standards that we find in the Bible, and quite frankly they have created one giant impersonal boondoggle. So, what is the church to do for the needy in our midst? Just tell them, “You have the government use them!” Or should we find ways to help them following biblical guidelines? The Bible has some important things to say about caring for the poor. Things like 1 Tim 5:8, “ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” and, 2Th 3:10b, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” I pray all churches would take it upon themselves to once again embrace this responsibility through the work of the diaconate, and if we do, let's remember this important quality of being consistent with our word and deeds.