A Noble Task

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1)

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Young people begin considering that question at an early age. Often kindergarteners are asked that in their first year of school. Their answers usually bring smiles to those who hear: “Firefighter. Uber driver. Dinosaur hunter. Doctor. Basketball player.”

For boys and young men, hopefully one future career option that’s considered is this: Pastor. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound as exciting as fighting fires or hunting dinosaurs or winning championships. But Paul says that anyone who aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

The word “overseer” is one of a number of different words for leaders in the early Christian Church. In the New Testament, it seems like the word “elder” is used interchangeably with “overseer.” The man in this position was given oversight over his Christian congregation. Today that man is called the “pastor.”

To the world, being a pastor doesn’t seem like a great profession. Serving in ministry won’t make a man rich. (At least, it shouldn’t!) Being a pastor won’t get you on the news. (Unless you’ve done something wrong!) Ministry involves a lot of time and effort and energy that goes unnoticed and unseen.

So what makes being an overseer or a pastor a “noble” task? Think of what a Christian pastor gets to do: He gets to study God’s Word for his job. He gets to preach about the grace of Jesus Christ who came and suffered and died to forgive our sins. He gets to teach God’s eternal truths about sin and grace and faith and life and family and heaven. He gets to comfort the sick with God’s promises and give hope to the mourning with the message of Jesus’ resurrection and tell those who are troubled, “Don’t despair. Jesus loves you! God is with you. You are forgiven. You are loved. You are saved. There is peace in Jesus!”

Doesn’t that sound like a great job? Paul thought so. In his letters of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, Paul gives us five “trustworthy sayings.” Five statements that he really wants to highlight. This is one of those five trustworthy saying: “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.”

What boy or young man could you encourage today to think about ministry? It’s a noble task!

Dear Jesus, you provide shepherds to your churches. We need faithful men to teach us God’s Word and point us to you. Please place the noble desire to be a pastor in more young men’s hearts. Amen.