TEACHERS - THE "WANNABIES"

Okay, back to James 3...

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers..." (v1)

Why does James say that? What was he referring to? What does he mean?

Well, if we go back to chapter 2, we find he was addressing the problem of partiality. It would seem that those was a real problem with snobbiness. Those who had looked down on those who didn't have.

And seeing that they thought themselves better, they presumed they should teach those who were "less fortunate". And this is not how a true teacher should be.

Paul also talked about this in his letter to Timothy...

1 Timothy 1:5-7
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

And check out what Jesus said about these "wanna-be" teachers:

Matthew 23:2-8
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’"

And what did these 'wannabies' want? They wanted:

~ POSITION (the office of teacher),
~ POWER (being able to lord it over the people, laying heavy loads on them),
~ POMP (liking to be seen),
~ PROMINENCE (loving the best places),
~ PRESTIGE (wanting the title of "Rabbi").

But Jesus goes on to say (v9-10):

"But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher (Leader), the Christ, and you are all brethren.
“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ."

Instead, our attitude is to be one of love and servanthood (v11-12) ...

“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

We are all students together in Christ's classroom!