“Take Thought For Things Honorable”

by Micky Galloway

“And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel (is spread) through all the churches; and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in (the matter of) this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and (to show) our readiness: Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in (the matter of) this bounty which is ministered by us: for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (II Corinthians 8:18-21).

The context of this passage is important! The apostle Paul has given instructions to the churches of Galatia and the brethren in Corinth (in the province of Achaia) to provide for the physical necessities of the destitute brethren in Jerusalem (cf. I Corinthians 16:1-3). He has assured them, “And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem” (I Corinthians 16:3). Paul was coming for their sizable contribution, but his desire was for them to appoint their own “messengers of the churches” (II Corinthians 8:23) to distribute these funds. Why did Paul take such precautions? “For we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

We obviously live in a time when folks do not take thought for things honorable, period! I have never heard of so many allegations of misconduct. These allegations could have been prevented if people would just “think.” Paul writes, “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” (Philippians 4:8).

We must take thought for “things honorable” before those who are not Christians. The apostle Paul wrote, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). He charged those in Thessalonica, “that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without” (I Thessalonians 4:11-12). To the Corinthians he wrote, “Now we pray to God that ye do no evil … but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate” (II Corinthians 13:7). To the Romans he wrote, “Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).The verb pronoeo means “take thought for, take into consideration, have regard for” (Arndt & Gingrich, page 715). “To provide, take thought, care for beforehand (Rom 12:17; 2 Cor 8:21)” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary). In other words, think before you act!

Why is it so important that we “take thought” for things honorable? No one ever practiced sinful things without first thinking about it. “For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: these are the things which defile the man” (Matthew 15:19-20). You see, what you think about defines who you are. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV). “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). It also defines what others think about you. Solomon declared, “A (good) name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). I have heard it said, “I don’t care what others think …” You better care! Your reputation is dependent upon it.

A good reputation is earned through righteous deeds practiced over time. It is said of Jesus when He was twelve years old, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). What a contrast that is with some young people today who don’t care about being in good standing with either God or man! Cornelius, the centurion, despite his being a Gentile, was described as, “a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews” (Acts 10:22 NKJV). The seven men who were chosen to minister to the temporal needs of certain widows among the disciples in Jerusalem were to be “of good reputation” (Acts 6:3 NKJV). One qualification of an elder is, “And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (I Timothy 3:7 NASU). One should “take thought” to guard his reputation against any fleeting pleasure that might ruin it for a lifetime.

Many things can destroy a good reputation. Sometimes vicious people deliberately set out on a character assassination mission. Remember, it only takes an accusation to destroy a good reputation. The lie of Potiphar’s wife cost Joseph years in prison (cf. Genesis 39:7-20). Truly, the wisdom writer said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). The slanderer differs from a murderer only in that he kills the reputation rather than the body. A careless and foolish act or foolish words can seriously damage one’s reputation. What did the young man of Proverbs 7, “void of understanding,” think would happen when he passed multiple times during the darkness of night the woman’s house that is described as dressed in the “attire of a harlot and wily of heart … clamorous and willful …”? He certainly was not taking thought for “things honorable.” Some places you don’t need to be! It takes a very short time to lose a good reputation but a long, long time to regain it.

Friend, before you say something crude, type, forward or “like” a Facebook post, wear something questionable, place yourself among questionable company (ad infinitum), stop and think about that which is honorable. “… in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8 NASU).