Why I don't drink alcohol

 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1 (NASB)

Some have asked over the years, "why don't you drink alcohol?"  Well first of all I don't like the smell of it.  I am sure the taste won't be to my liking either.  But that is not a spiritual reason.  I know that Paul instructs Timothy to take a little wine for the stomach's sake.  I also know there is no clear instruction to abstain all together from drink.  I am aware for those on the other side of the issue that the Scripture also says, "don't be drunk"  But truly you can drink without being overwhelmed with being intoxicated.

However, I believe as a Pastor and as a follower of Christ that I want to be wise.  I feel that for me I desire to always be ready to give an answer for my faith and I don't want anything to stand in the way of being faithful to my call.

Fellow ministers, that is where I think wisdom to stay away from the drink all together is wise.  I don't need it, I don't want its influence and so I stay away from it altogether.  Sin, temptation and falling short is so easy for us to fall into.  I want to be above reproach and steer clear of anything that could bring a reproach to our Lord and Savior.  

Thank you for reading and I hope it will be food for thought for us as Minister of the Gospel. 

a hired hand

 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

John 10.12-13 NLT

The question for us today, are we a hired hand or are you an under shepherd.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd but who are you?  We would like to think our intentions for getting into ministry are honorable.  However, sometimes we slip into selfish tendencies.  Paul David Tripp in his book dangerous calling warns:

The people in your congregation did not become active participants in your ministry so that collectively they could collectively make you feel better about yourself . . .  God didn't call you to your particular ministry position so you could cobble together an identity . . .  The leadership of the church didn't call you to be their pastor because they knew you needed a forum where you could find meaning and purpose.   (pg. 202)

These words may seem harsh but in reality we often find our motives are about us and not serving the Good Shepherd's sheep.  These are some thoughts we need to prayerfully look deep into our own hearts for self examination.