Zanele Tlhakanelo

We must guard our faith by trusting in the One, True God, the Creator of Heaven and earth and all that is in it. Things come and go but the Word of God says "Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will remain." It is important as children of God to be focused on Him and not be swayed by all that is happening around us. Guards are vigilant and we are called to be Kingdom Shakers that stand for the truth and not be afraid to preach Christ resurrected. If we do not compromise the Gospel but tell it as God has purposed it to be preached in the whole world, we will be guards that are positive, loving and pleasant because we will not be moved by what is happening around us at the moment but our eyes will be fixed on Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

The best antidote is to put your trust in God and not in the money that you have because you do not know what tomorrow holds. We are on earth to be the eyes and ears of God and therefore we must always be a blessing to those that are in need and if you do not have any around you, listen to what others say about those that are in dire need and lend a helping hand. Be obedient to the Holy Spirit because He will prompt you in doing good to those who need help. There are churches and organizations where your donations can be appreciated in helping those that are in need but we know of false teachers who have made people to give of their houses and cars which in my thinking have made this go overboard and hurt families. God cannot make families to break so that others can benefit. God is love and just hence He loves a cheerful giver.

The love of money grows when you are not satisfied with what you have and you hoard even though you are supposed to give to the needy. Some people sell their souls by doing wrong things just to have more money in your pocket. Contentment will make you understand that that which you have and are able to survive, will not make you run after money but be thankful to God with what you have. If your intention is to acquire more, you will be trapped into doing sinful things but you need to follow what the Word of God says and He will do the rest because He is the Sovereign God who knows all our needs. You can escape the trap by understanding to be content whether in plenty or in lack because we do not understand how much can make a person satisfied. Those who have still want more and therefore, be content with what you have.

We need to seek contentment because we truly understand the love that God has for us such that He gave us His only begotten Son so that we may have eternal life. Contentment teaches us that all these things that we run after, we will leave them when God calls us to higher service and therefore, whatever God has given us, we need to be thankful and be able to share with those that do not have. Contentment prevents us from being in competition with our neighbors or colleagues because if you try to go ahead and have your family have what they need, you are defeating the whole purpose of Matthew 6:25-34 because you will spend more time acquiring wealth and neglect being there for your family and instead of supporting your child at school, you think that if he has everything that he needs, he will be fine whereas your child may be needing you as his/her parents to be there and not to have all these things. What will make us content is when the level of our relationship with Christ grows and that we get fulfillment when we are in His presence and the quest for improvement will be seeing other people coming to Christ when they see your lifestyle that it is not about you but about Christ.

The Word of God says people perish for lack of knowledge because we need to understand God's Word and not interpret it the way that suits us. God knows and understands all our situations and it is His intention that all people should live well irrespective of our giving. Therefore, the teachings that say God only blesses those who tithe are wrong. There are a number of people who are wealthy and some do not even go to church nor do they take care of the needy. False teachings have made people believe a lie and as such some people have enriched themselves through these false teachings. The distortations such as if you do not tithe, God will send the devourer to eat that which you are supposed to take to the house of God and use for yourself and even to say your children will be sick and that money which you do not take to the house of God will be taken through other means. The distortions make people to panic because it is clear that you cannot give out of compulsion but that which you are able to give. The truth is that God loves a cheerful giver and whatever you have purposed in your heart and have thanked God for giving you the ability to acquire it, will be well received.

Paul is emphasizing that the Gospel is accommodative of all mankind because before the eyes of God we are all equal. Slaves which are Christians should honor and respect their masters who are non-Christians so that the teachings and God's name are not slandered. Much as we honor our Master, they should do the same. Pauls seems to condone slavery because we must all have our freedom and as such, slaves are expectant to be obedient just like masters are supposed to take good care of those they have hired. The relationship between the slaves and their masters need to be strengthened by their harmonious understanding of each other's roles. Paul's motive is to ensure that there is unity among people just as Christ gave Himself for all mankind and did not choose to die for one race. He gave us the freedom to choose to be God's children and be obedient to the Will of God so that God may be glorified in all humanity.

Paul said that because if you lay hands on the people you do not know, you will be partaking in their sins. It is important to study a person's behavior before ordaining him/her to hire office. The same warning was also given about new converts not to occupy office but studying and taking time but also listening to the small still voice will guide in terms of ordaining the right people. The danger is that you may ordain people who do not share the same principles with you are have different perspectives about the Word of God. Some people do not believe that the Holy Spirit must be consulted in giving guidance and directions and want to do things in a haphazard manner. To not be hasty in ordaining people. Try to understand them better and know their giftings because it can cause harm if a person is given a ministry that he/she does not understand or is uncomfortable to handle. Always ordain people according to the gifts given them by God.

Firstly , accusations must not be heresy but must be confirmed by two or three witnesses. The discipline of elders must be handled justly and publicly and this instruction was given so that people should know that those who transgress the laws of God are dealt with without any favor. The temptation to compromise and not go through it will put the church into disrepute as it will be viewed as accepting things that are ungoldy being done at the church and the church condoning bad behavior and false teaching. It is also important not to postpone the matter for a long time but addressed as soon as possible so that othe elders may learn from such a discipline. There is fear to discipline members because some of the people are supporting the church financially and if they happen to be discipline they will leave the church and some people may leave with them.

We need to honor elders as they labor through preaching and teaching and as such need to b e compensated. The elders who take care of the work of God need to be supported for all the commitment of ensuring that the people of God do not go astray but live according to God's principles. Paul used the word "double honor" because they do not labor in vain but teach people the Word of God so that they do not get confused by the false teaching that is also prevalent even at this day and age. Elders who fear God preach and teach the true Gospel and deserve to be financially renumerated.

We have the responsibility to take care of the aging by showing them honor and this also refers to financial honor especially those who have past the marriage age and above 60 years. We need to care for those who do not have children to take care of them and are in dire need of assistance. Moreover, these are widows who have diligently served the church and honored their marriages as well but those who live lavish lives need not be considered and those with children and grand children are mandated to take care of their parents. In Psalm 68:5, the Word of God states that God is te defender of the widows and as such we are also expected to protect widows from all harm and take care of their needs. We cannot turn a blind eye when an elderly widow lives alone and is unable to clean her house. It is our responsibility to also feed and bath those who cannot and are childless. It is a "repayment" of debt because when they still had energy to work, they kept the home fires burning by providing for our needs and to say thank you, we also need to do the same. Those who refuse definitely dishonor God because the Word of God in Exodus 20:12 "honor you father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." It is therefore important to take care of all the needs of the widows who are desperate.

The reasons why the rigid, unsmilling orthodox cannot produce godliness is that it may teach the " do as I say and not as I do" meaning that such leaders are not examplary and not live as the Word of God expects us to live. Certain characteristics that are not expected from a leader can be deisplayed which are contrary to the fruits of the spirit. Consistency in reading the Word of God and being able to challenge that which is preached or taught by the false prophets, will surely produce godliness. When you teach the people the Word of God and live it leads to a healthy church. It is important to as a leader to be approachable and be impartial when trying to give a fair opinion should a need arise. A leader should always encourage the members to be readers of the Word, hear what God says and do what God says must be done. In a nutshell, lead by example.

Godliness is about following God's blueprint. A person who is rooted in the Word of God will understand things that please God and those that displeases Him. It is all about not being confused by what other people say because if you do not read the Word of God yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the discerning spirit, you will surely not know the mind of God. There is a pattern that God wants us to live our lives and His Word is our manual. Submitting to the Will of God produces godliness. We cannot want to live our own lives and disregard when God speaks to us, for example, in Ephesians 4:26 the Word of God says "Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger". This is but one of the scriptures that shows us that if you go to bed angry, the fruits of the spirit will not be practiced. Strict morality can be acceptable but does not replace the grace of God that assist us to lead to godliness. We need not lose sight that we have been saved by grace and it is only the Holy Spirit that can help us to live a godly life and what is important is that we should always pray and strive for godliness in our thoughts, speech and actions.

Legalism emphasises on self-righteousness in that people who believe in it are they know all and their belief is not in God but in what they can achieve as individuals. God is put aside and the only thing people who practice legalism care is self-fulfillment and hoarding that which is supposed also to be shared with the needy, poor, orphans and widows. Meaning, you care about yourself and everyone for himself. It contradicts the fruits of the Spirit and as indicated above, putting your self above all other people and a sense of pride dominates in that whatever the person achieves, is out of his/her own making and God is not in the picture as the Giver of Life and the One who gives us the ability to acquire wealth and all that we have. The true Gospel teaches us to care for those who are in need. To spread love and the Word says " Love your neigbor as you love yourself" as the first commandment that Jesus Christ teaches us. If you love others and show compassion, God will take care of your needs. We must have patience and emulate of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at all times.

Paul reminded Timothy so that he focused on His calling and not be disturbed by the predictions concerning the widespread apostasy. Indeed, Jesus Christ warned His disciple to beware of wolves who will come clothed in sheep's clothing. These are false teachers even in the Body of Christ who are false prophets or teachers who do not teach the Good News/Gospel but that which will benefit them more than the church. It would make Timothy to be alert and be able to discern all false doctrine taught by the false teachers. The Holy Spirit is the only One who will guide the Body of Christ to stay focused and not have their faith shaken because we serve God Almighty and only believe in the Lord our God.