1. Elders are worthy of honor (17-20)

Shepherds who devote their full time to preaching and teaching have a right to receive material support. The Bible says that even the ox who treads the grain to remove the husks has a right to eat some of the grain. There are always jealous people seeking to find fault with the leaders. If a leader is accused of some sin, we should ignore the accusation unless there are two or three witnesses. However, leaders who betray their trust should be rebuked publicly.

2. Keep yourself pure (21-25)

A leader should be strict with himself and generous with others. He should be impartial in rebuking and impartial in giving help. He is not the final judge. Each person's sin will either go before him or follow after to the place of judgment. Good deeds will also ultimately be known to all. Timothy evidently had a stomach problem, so Paul, not a legalist, admonishes him to take a little medicinal wine.

Application: Lord, help me to be strict with myself and generous with others. Help me to have a pure heart and to do nothing out of false motives.
One Word: Don't show favoritism