Leadership - why and how in treating leaders

having only looked at verse 17 in yesterday's passage, I thought I'd continue with the same section. :) From 1 Timothy 5 we find these verses:

17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

So yesterday we learned about giving honour and respect to those who lead us well. Today we learn the why and a bit of the how to that.

Why?
Because a labourer is deserving of his wages. An ox is not muzzled while it works.
Therefore giving honour and respect to our leaders is part of their wages. Is part of the recompense they deserve to get. The pay cheque of our leaders is more than the money we give them for doing their job....they are also paid in how we treat them. We may not pay all the elders in the church, but most churches pay their preachers. Our payment to them should also include how we treat them.

How is some of this played out?

1. Do not charges be brought against an elder without there being sufficient evidence of at least 2 or three witnesses.
2. If a leader persists in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all...SO THAT others may stand in fear.
3. Do not prejudge,
4. Do not show partiality.
5. Do not be hasty in laying on hands. (I think that means that one should not let a leader become a leader too quickly or easily) Believers need to be seasoned a bit before they take leadership positions.
6. Do not take part in the sins of others.
7. Keep yourself pure.
8. Know that not all sins are easily seen, just as some sin is easily sin, some sin takes time to be seen.
9. Just as sin can be seen, so can good works.

Treat your leadership well.
If they sin, make it known, and deal with it in a public format. BUT take your time, prove the charge, do not prejudge them OR show them partiality...in other words... treat them fairly all round. Don't let someone get away with sin just because you like them, and don't treat someone worse because you don't happen to care for them all that much. BE FAIR!

Don't let someone become a leader too quickly. Do not participate in the sin of others. Keep yourself pure.

Know that not all sins are so easily seen...keep that in mind. It will help you to stay fair. :)