All tied up
Ponder: What are your priorities? Is God pleased with them?
Scripture: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV).
Some think the above-referenced text means a preacher may not engage in business or commerce, but must be occupied solely with proclaiming the gospel. “Full-time” preaching has some advantages, but Paul’s own example of tent-making shows this understanding to be erroneous.
Paul’s objection was not to “involvement” in the affairs of this life, but “entanglement” in them. It applies not just to preachers, but to all Christians. Any of us may become “all tied up” with activities which may be perfectly good in and of themselves.
For example, God commends work. A Christian should “labor, working with his hands what is good . . .” (Ephesians 4:28). Yet, one may become entangled with his work, becoming a “work-a-holic” or a materialist. Some Christians, when confronted with their poor service habits, excuse themselves by saying, “I’m all tied up with my job.” Yes, they are entangled in the affairs of this life, and the Lord is not pleased.
God approves of recreation. Jesus told His apostles, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31). But we must avoid becoming entangled in recreation, lest we become “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). When we find time for ball games, but not for church, we are “all tied up.”
In His parable of the sower, Jesus warned that some soil (hearts) would be infested with weeds. The good seed (God’s word) would be choked out by the “cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22) and the “pleasures of this life” (Luke 8:14).
How is your heart? Are you all tied up?
Song: “Take Time to be Holy”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so easily distracted. Help is not to let the affairs of this earthly life tie us up. May we seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)