Titus 1:5-9

This next section is a very sharp section to read.  Sharp in all definitions of the word.

Verse 5 - "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-"

We have here our main topic.  Titus' current mission of getting elders set up in Crete to help run things.  Appointing others to help with the work.  No one man should do God's calling alone.  We are meant to have help.  Where something is needed or lacking, God will provide.  He will because He is the living God, able and willing.

Verse 6-9 - We have here all the qualifications that are needed to serve God and lead others.  You will notice that in this list there are no requirements where you have to have wealth, higher education, or well-liked by everyone.  No, instead the requirements in a leader are that of character and habits.

Blameless.  How can we be blameless though when all humans have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?  Here is how.  Do not be self-willed.  Be willing to listen and follow the ideas of others.  Have only one wife.  I assume that goes the opposite way as well.  Have well-behaved kids that are not accused of dissipation or insubordination.  There are parents who say to those who bring worries about their kids to them that "kids will be kids."  However, this says not even those accused of freely spending their resources or those accused of not listening to their elders.  Why is this important?

Simple.  A leader of the people for God must be blameless.  They shouldn't be focused on themselves.  They are stewards of God and so are responsible for all God's treasures including the human heart.  They should not have a temper, as that can lead to more harm than good.  I can't count the many times that a soft spoken answer did more for me than if I had been yelled at instead.  To have such control, you must not indulge in habits that would cause you to lose it.  One of which is drinking too much alcohol.  Being violent or wanting more money all the time is just as bad.  Maybe the love of money is one of the reasons why being wealthy is not a requirement.  Those are all things that you shouldn't do or be.  So what is left.  How should a person act?

Being hospitable.  If someone needs help or is around you, be the best host or hostess you can be.  When I go to Bible Studies on Thursday night, the family whose house we stay at always offers a light snack and something to drink.  They are some of the most hospitable and attentive Christians I know and they never cease to amaze me in their love for others.  They, as the Bible asks, want what is good.  You have to be sober-minded with an honest and just character filled with the love of God in order to be self-controlled, even in the worst of times.

The worst of times will come.  The only way to get through them is to keep the Bible in your heart.  If your leaders do this, they are better able to lead and guide you.  If situations arise, they are able to help take care of the problems because they have understanding of God's Word.