… not given to drunkenness …
Summary: Paul continues with his discourse on what to avoid in a church leader, especially an overseer. All we have to do now is figure out what he means by “not given to drunkenness.”
Here’s a fun topic for your next church fellowship: How much drunkenness should church leaders indulge in? It sounds like a great conversation starter, doesn’t it?
The phrase “given to” is another potential topic. What does that mean? Can a person be “given to” being kind, tithing, or reading scripture? Are we always and only “given to” bad things?
What was Paul thinking when he wrote this?
Let’s go out in the backyard and set two poles in the ground about twenty feet apart. Now tie a clothesline between the poles and pull it tight. Let’s call one pole “Abstinence” and the other pole “Addiction.” We can call the clothesline itself “wine.” Somewhere near the middle, use a clothespin to pin an old sock to the line called “drunk.” Now put another clothespin on the line where you think Paul is pointing us to.
Where is your clothespin?
I will tell you where my clothespin is not. It is not down at either end of the line.
We know that Paul was not against drinking wine because he advises Timothy to drink a bit of wine now and then (1 Timothy 5:23).
Coming up in Titus 2:3, Paul advises against being addicted to “much wine.” So that sounds like a clothespin somewhere south of “drunk” and north of total abstinence.
In 1 Timothy 3:8, Paul advises that deacons should not indulge in “much wine.” I would put that clothespin close the the “abstinence” end of the line, but not all the way there.
In Romans, Paul writes that “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” (Romans 14:21) This clothespin is down at the abstinence end of the line.
So somewhere between drunkenness and abstinence, there is a clothespin with Paul’s name on it. But why is this even an issue?
I would suggest that the underlying question is one of servanthood. Whom do you serve? Are you a servant of God or a servant of the flesh? A person who is “given to” drunkenness is one who is not able to say “no” to the wine. They may not be addicted to it, but neither can they keep their clothespin on the abstinence side of the line. The flesh decides for them how much they will drink.
On the Servant of God side, the clothespin goes where it needs to go. The Bible has a lot to say about wine, and not all of it is bad. There are times and places for such things within godly guidelines and context. Of course, we are all different. Some of us should avoid wine altogether. The rest of us should respect that, abstaining when appropriate.
Paul sums it up nicely when he writes, “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.” (Romans 14:20)
Application: Examine who is in charge of your attitude towards drinking. Does it reflect well on God?
Food for Thought: What is your favorite conversation starter at a church function?
Thank you for your devotion. You did a great job of covering this topic from all angles. I appreciate the biblical balance.
Thanks Rich!
I feel like I left everyone “hanging” with my question today. 🙂
Hopefully no one thinks I was just feeding them a “line.”
Have you heard about Jeff’s clothesline?
HAHAHA!
Nice!
I deserved that. 🙂
Normally since most church functions include somekind of food,.. I start a conversation about the food we are eating,..
As far as the drunkeness is concerned,..I could have lost my family because of my drinking problem,..wound up saying things that would hurt and then not remember what I said in the morning that hurt them,..finally God gave me the strength to stop,..and it was only through repentance and reconcilation that we are still togehter and I am able to still see the grandkids,..drunkeness is not good for anyone,..not for the one drinking and not for the ones that have to deal with their drunkeness,..
I praise God that He has taken me away from the alcohol and has allowed me to learn and grow from the experience,..hind sight is 2020,..as soon as this year is over we will be able to look back and actually say the hind sight is 2020,..hopefully we have learned something from the year that’s gone by,..
John,
Thank you for your testimony, brother. I feel a bit convicted about my comments here today. I apologize for making light of something that is deadly serious. I am so thankful that God gave you the strength to leave the alcohol behind, because his light is able to shine brightly through you now.
It’s all good,..no need to apologize,..it is what it is,..I have learned and moved on,..
Been there with you Brother. Praise God who watched over each of us, saved us from ourselves so He could use us to minister to others.
1 Timothy 1:12-16, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life”
God Bless You,
Brother Ron
It has been a testimony to minister to others,..thanks for pointing that out