A deacon has the same qualifications as a Bishop. A deacon must be sober minded, not double tongued, not given to wine, not greedy but "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience" (1 Timothy 3:8-9). The deacon must first prove himself called to the position by taking on those type of responsibilities without the title (1 Timothy 3:10). He must have one wife and be in control of the children who live in the home (3:12).
Not only is the deacon under these commands, but his wife must also meet the standards (1 Timothy 3:11).
Did you know these high standards were required in order to wait on and serve people who sat at tables eating a meal? That's right. The first deacons were a kind of waiter. Luke wrote about it in Acts chapter six. Deacons were appointed to wait on tables and to make sure everyone was treated fairly.
Here is the message to us. No task is more important than another. We are all called to the highest of standards. We are all ministers, representatives of Christ, whatever our function in his body.
