“Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.”
Titus 3:8-11
Profit and loss are two common things that we consider when it comes to enterprise. Many retailers look forward to a day that has been called “Black Friday.” That day is not as ominous as it sounds, unless perhaps you have worked in the retail business. Black Friday is called this, because many retailers hit the black (signifying profit) after this big business day. Before this day, many businesses could find themselves in the red (signifying loss) for part, if not all, of the year. The church that belongs to Christ is not a business; it does not engage in commerce. We can, however, find it beneficial to learn from the business concept of profit and loss and recall more-so what the Bible says is profitable and unprofitable for the bride of Christ.
The Church Must Be Careful To Maintain Good Works
The inspired Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to Titus this instruction: the church must be careful to maintain good works. To be careful is to give thought to do those good works. So what are some examples of good works? Paul has already mentioned that Titus needed to remind the brethren to be ready unto every good work (cf. Titus 3:1). He also adds that good works are directly related to being fruitful. One passage we might recognize with some examples (not an exclusive list) of spiritual fruit is Galatians 5:21-22. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.” The concept here is that all of these items would be the result of walking in the Spirit, according to the “perfect law of liberty” (cf. Jam.1:25), the Word of God. When God’s Word shapes our actions, the fruits of the Spirit are the direct result.
Another example of good works is visiting (showing compassion on, looking after) orphans and widows and other individuals that can fall through the cracks (cf. Jam 1:27). Good works would also include providing basic needs such as food and clothing for our brethren and even those outside the body of Christ (cf. Jam 2:15-16, Gal. 6:10). There is certainly still more emphasis on good works in our New Testaments (Matt. 5:16; Acts 9:36; Rom. 13:3; Col. 1:10, et al). Let’s give our good attention to maintaining these good works.
The Church Must Shun All Things Unprofitable
As good works are profitable, there are certain things that can drag us into the spiritual red. Paul reminded Timothy that the Word of God is profitable, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). We understand Scripture is profitable, what is unprofitable? Paul told Titus that foolish questionings are unprofitable. Many sound preachers take questions from the congregation to answer once a month in a sermon. We always encourage questions because the Bible gives many examples of going to the Word to search the Scriptures for the answers (cf. Acts 17:11, Matt. 12:3-5: 19:4; 22:31; Mark 12:10,26; Luke 6:3). There is a Bible answer to all questions, even if it is a Deut. 29:29 issue.
However, some questions are unprofitable because they are foolish. There are some questions that are clearly unfounded in Scripture (think spaceships in Ezekiel 1). Foolish questions can be answered pretty easily. Jesus dealt with some foolish questionings by the Sadducees in Matthew 22 with regard to the resurrection (in which they did not even believe). Jesus answered their ill-motivated question,
“But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.”
Matt 22:29-33
Jesus answered the question without dwelling on it or allowing that foolish questioning to distract from his further teaching. This type of foolish questioning is linked with genealogies, strife, and fighting over the law of Moses. All of these are rendered unprofitable and vain. We love questions, and this is written not to discourage any question from being asked. We always go to the Bible for all of our questions, but we must not cling to erroneous doctrines that are unsupported by the Scripture. We must also be careful not to fight over things that are truly vain and unprofitable. We all need to ask ourselves, “Is this an issue that is profitable, or is my motive unprofitable?”
We Have to Refuse the Factious Man
The danger of unprofitable questions and other discussions is the result that can come from them. An honest question or discussion based on a lack of understanding on a given subject is not in view here. What is in view is that a factious man seeks to divide, subvert sound congregations, and sow discord among brethren (cf. Prov. 6:19). I believe that in most cases this is not the situation among God’s people. The brethren by and large are people who love and respect the Lord and His Word. However, we must always check motives when we ask questions, we must also be aware that the possibility of one’s coming among the brethren to cause strife is certain. The Spirit reminds the motive of ones such as these, it is perverted, sinful, and that individual is self-condemned.
Brethren, there is much we can do in regard to good works. We can truly find many profitable things to focus our time and energies on. Paul penned this to the church at Ephesus,
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Phil. 4:13
When we set our minds on those things, we and the world around us will profit greatly.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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