RESPECT FOR OTHERS

Read 1 Timothy 5

In order to fully understand these verses, you must remember to whom Paul was writing. At this time, Timothy was the bishop or pastor of the church at Ephesus. He was a young man, so he still needed guidance in leading. Surely, there were many men in the church who were older than Timothy, just as there were younger men and women. Paul is simply giving advice on how to treat them.

I have seen many young pastors who treat the older men in the church with disdain. They say these older men just don’t want to change or they just won’t listen. Remember the failure of Rehoboam was listening to his younger advisors rather than the older, wiser ones.

TEACHING MOMENT

Children need to learn to respect everyone. They especially need to learn to respect their elders. Treating their elders as fathers and mothers does change the perspective. That’s why you, as parents, must make sure they respect you first. Too many parents allow their children to “express themselves” in the most disrespectful ways. If your children don’t have respect for you, they most certainly won’t respect other adults.

Respect is something you have to earn. Our children will earn respect when they show respect. It’s a two-way street. I have never met a disrespectful person who is respected by others. Simply saying “Yes sir” and “Yes ma’am” shows respect rather than mumbling a “yeah.”

Won’t you teach your children these things? If you want respected children, then you must teach them to respect you. You must hold them accountable for their words and deeds toward others. I correct children who address me by my first name rather than by Mr. or Pastor Carl. It’s not that I am conceited or prideful. How they address me shows respect. Don’t let your children slide on respect. They are going to need this skill for life.

Father, thank you for the elders in my life who taught me respect. Thank you for a father and mother who wouldn’t let me get away with disrespecting them or others.