"Don't Be Called Teachers..."

Jesus said:

"Do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." (Mat 23:10)

What did He mean by that??

Obviously, there ARE teachers in the Church. Isn't it one of the spiritual gifts? We read in other parts of the Bible that God gave some to be teachers, along with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors. (See Eph 4:11.)

Perhaps the important word in what Jesus said is CALLED. "Don't be CALLED teachers." God might place us in the role of teacher, but we mustn't flaunt the title.

Instead, Jesus went on to say: "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." So I see the key for a teacher is a servant-heart.

If God calls us to teach, we need to remember why we teach. And as Paul says in the next verse in Ephesians, it is for the equipping of the saints. The saints will then, in turn, have the tools so they can minister, and as a result, the whole body is edified. (See Eph 4:12)

It reminds me of the school teacher. One of the most important things a teacher can teach her students... that is TO READ!!

Once a child has grasped the concept of reading, he has a tool for life! He can then read and learn for himself, which becomes a pivotal point for his life's career, and as a result he contributes to the rest of society.

And I see that for us who may teach, the most important thing is to teach the believer TO READ the Bible. Then they have the fountain of all knowledge. They can learn from the Teacher Himself.