Second Timothy 2:15 tells us to study to show ourselves approved, and Titus is a great place to do that, especially if you are in any kind of ministry. I find it helpful to be reminded of these things myself since it’s easy to lose sight of the goal that we are shooting for.

I would encourage you to slowly read through the book and pray over each qualification to see if you are living it, but today I want to look at Titus 1:7-9:

“For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

To help you break this down, Paul is saying that a church leader must not be caught in scandals. He should not be selfish, easily angered, drunk, violent, or greedy. But Paul doesn’t just list the negatives; he tells us what to strive for. Instead, we should be hospitable (not easy for introverts but doable). We should love what is good (and every other trait listed in Philippians 4:8) and be just, holy, and self-controlled. We are not to be foolish. I see pastors try to relate to young people at times by getting down to their level, and I’m not sure that is helpful. Older people are to be examples that young people can follow, not the other way around. We should be constantly studying God’s Word in order to be firm in our convictions and be able to share the Word in a way that will bring others to conviction as well.

Although this is addressed to church leaders, I believe it applies to ministries everywhere. When you look at verse 6, Paul mentions that elders should be the husband of one wife and have faithful children. If you are not being faithful to your wife, you should not be in ministry. Although many disagree with me, your ministry is not God. If your family is suffering, you may need to take a sabbatical in order to restore your relationship with your wife and children. Once you have accomplished that, God may restore you to ministry, but if your love for the accolades of men comes before the well being of your household, your priorities are out of line, and you may lose your family as a result. This is why Paul says, “He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:32-33).

As we rapidly approach year’s end, I encourage you to look at your life through the lens of Scripture. Are you being faithful? Is your house in order? If Jesus were to return tomorrow, would you and your family be ready? Don’t settle for “probably.” Make sure.