I Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
All of us have an admiration for people who have experience at what they do. Whether it is a pilot, an engineer, a teacher, or a craftsman, we appreciate those who are experts in their profession.
I Timothy 3 is about you, your home, your church, and how the three are tied together in a very important way. I Timothy 3:10, talking about deacons, says, “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” There is a “first, then” principle here. First, let them be proved. Then, let them use the office of a deacon.
The point here is for a deacon to have experience. Verse 6, speaking of a bishop, says, “Not a novice.” In other words, if you are serving God as a deacon, pastor, or in some other capacity and want to make a difference, start where you are. First things first. It is a “first, then” principle.
In the first place, govern yourself. It is amazing to me how many people want to rule others, but can’t govern themselves. They can’t govern what they eat, when they get out of bed, or what they say when they are pushed. Verse 2 says that a bishop is to be “of good behavior.” The principle here is to start where you are. First things are first. Govern yourself.
Second of all, serve your house. Verse 4 says, “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” If I want to serve in a larger capacity, I need to begin where I am. I don’t need to be sinlessly perfect in order to serve God, but how can I be expected to lead people in the church if I am not serving people in my home? How can I be expected to be wise in my management of other people at church if I am not wise in the management of the people from the church in my own house? Govern yourself. Serve your house.
Finally, edify the church. Verse 14 says, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God.” I Timothy is largely about how to behave yourself in the church of God, and the way to behave yourself in the church of God is to behave yourself in your house. Edify the church. Serve the church, but start where you are.
Govern yourself. Serve your house. Edify your church.