Fond of sordid gain (146) (aischrokerdes from aischrós = filthy, shameful, indecent, dishonorable + kerdos = gain, profit) is shamelessly greedy, avaricious (excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches), a seeker of gain in disgraceful ways. It describes a man who does not care how he makes money so long as he makes it. Note that the root is used in the following section describing rebellious men, et al "who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid (aischrós - shameful, indecent, dishonorable) gain." (Titus 1:11-note) The overseer is not to be not given to improper gain for selfish purposes and specifically is not to use his office as a means of accumulating unjust gain. To be sure, the laborer is worthy of his hire, but church leadership is never to be used to make money. The overseer is not to be eager for gain, especially gain that degrades his moral character. He is not to be like those who, without honesty or integrity, seek wealth and financial prosperity at any cost. Steven Cole... In 1Ti 3:3, Paul states that he “must be free from the love of money.” Money itself is not evil, but it is dangerous. It is like a loaded gun—it can be very useful if you use it properly, but it can hurt others or yourself if you use it carelessly. A greedy man is not qualified to be an elder, because greedy men are not godly. They will be tempted to take advantage of people financially or to embezzle church funds. (Read the full sermon) Aischrokerdes aptly described many Cretans who did not care how they made money so long as they made it. Polybius adds that They are so given to making gain in disgraceful and acquisitive ways that among the Cretans alone of all men no gain is counted disgraceful." Plutarch said that Cretans stuck to money like bees to honey. The Cretans counted material gain far above honesty and honor. If an overseers main aim in life is to amass material things, irrespective of how he does so, is not fit to be an office-bearer of the Christian Church. (Barclay) Peter instructs leaders shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness" (1Pe 5:2-note) Paul warned Timothy of the arrival in the church of men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain." (1Ti 6:5) Peter warned about false teachers who "in their greed... will exploit you with false words (NLT has "will make up clever lies to get hold of your money")" (see 2Pe 2:3-note) and who forsook "the right way...gone astray... (and) followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness." (see 2Pe 2:15-note). Paul alludes again to this problem in Crete adding that there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision...teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain." (Titus 1:10, 11-note) Ravenous wolves such as these are clearly not to be allowed to watch over God's flock. Ralph Earle observes that it is a sad commentary on those times that bishops would have to be warned against such conduct! Hiebert adds that if a church leader's mind is simply occupied with amassing of gold he will be too preoccupied to feed the flock. Good point! This overseer's attitude toward material wealth ought to be one of healthy detachment, although not to the point of irresponsibility. Samuel Johnson said, that the lust of gold, unfeeling and remorseless, is the last corruption of degenerate man. A worthy overseer must be able to say with Paul: I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. (Acts 20:33, 34, 35). ><> ><> ><> Our Daily Bread in a devotional entitled "Marching Into a Closet" writes... Author and pastor Stuart Briscoe writes about a funeral for a war veteran in which the man's military buddies had a role in the service. The friends requested that the minister lead them to the casket for a moment of silence. They would then follow the pastor out a side door. The plan was carried out with military precision—until the minister marched them into a broom closet. The soldiers had to make an awkward retreat. That pastor made an honest mistake, but it illustrates that leaders must know where they are going. As go the leaders, so go the followers. The apostle Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to establish a witness for Jesus Christ. Titus was to appoint leaders for the growing band of believers. Except for preaching the gospel, nothing Titus did for the Christians on Crete was more important than finding the right leadership for them. Church leaders are to meet the standards set forth in Titus 1:6, 7, 8, 9 and guide others to greater maturity in their relationship with Christ. And followers must lovingly hold their spiritual leaders accountable to those goals. Whether you're leading or following, know where you're going—or you may end up in a closet. —Haddon W. Robinson (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Before you follow a leader, Check his beliefs, and pray; Be sure he's following Jesus, And that he knows the way. —Hess The only leader worth following is one who is following Christ. Titus 1:8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, (NASB: Lockman) Greek: alla philoxenon, philagathon sophorona, dikaion, hosion egkrate, KJV: But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Phillips: On the contrary, he must be hospitable, a genuine lover of what is good, a man who is discreet, fair-minded, holy and self-controlled: (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: but fond of showing hospitality, fond of that which is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: but a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, sober-minded, righteous, kind, self-controlled, BUT HOSPITABLE: alla philoxenon:(1Ti 3:2) (Torrey's Topic Hospitality) a lover of strangers (YLT) He must enjoy having guests in his home (NLT) An elder must be ready to help others by accepting them into his home (ICB) fond of showing hospitality (Wuest) opening his house freely to guests (BBE) Five negatives in the preceding verse are now followed by six positive qualifications.