Morning Moments

[1 Tim 3:8] Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Today's subject is one of those controversial ones that has been, in the past, and because of prohitibition in the United States rarely been explained honestly, so here goes.

"...not given to much wine". "Not given - to give or devote oneself to something, e.g., with a dat. of thing (1Ti_3:8, "to much wine"; "much" - Many, much of number, quantity, amount. "wine" - Wine derived from grapes. The mention of the bursting of the wine skins in Mat_9:17; Mar_2:22; Luk_5:37-38 implies fermentation. Used in Ephesians 5:18 in contrast to being filled with the Spirit. The drinking of wine, though not forbidden by Scripture (as is drunkenness [Eph_5:18]), is to be avoided in the presence of weaker brothers who might be influenced to partake against their consciences (Rom_14:21). In 1Ti_5:23 oínos is recommended for medicinal purposes.

Remember that the deacon must be a man whose speech is consistent and whose spirit is controlled.

I did not come from a family of drinkers, but I did come from a family of thinkers. I was never taught as some to hate people who over indulged, but I was taught to observe what over-indulgence does to a person. Many people actually hate the drinker, heavy or otherwise. Those who indulge must not be condemned and those who over indulged must be corrected. Down South many prided themselves by saying, "I don't smoke, drink, cuss, or chew, nor run around with them that do." Not that is really spiritual isn't it?:)lol

One more thing about this matter. I know all the texts used against alcohol of any kind at any time, but that is not consistent with the custom nor culture of the Bible. I have known preachers in the past who would not patronize a grocery store that sold beer or wine, who would not eat in a restaurant that served beer or wine, and just such silliness as that has spun an ignorance and unwillingness to face to truth of this matter Biblically. So STAY WITH THE BOOK.

BLESSINGS!