June 25, 2014
WE ARE FAMILY!
1 Timothy 5:1-16
Erin Collins
Central Truth
God's provision for people who are hurting is you and me!
Key Verse | 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
1 Timothy 5:1-16
Instructions for the Church
1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 1 5:9 Or a woman of one man 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
Dive Deeper | 1 Timothy 5:1-16
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul is discussing the need for the body of believers to take care of the widows in the church. While there are some qualifications on which ladies meet the criteria for being cared for by the church, God looks to His people to care for those in need, first by their earthly family, and then by their church family.
As He was being crucified, Jesus demonstrated this care for us in the provision He made for His mother. Jesus looked to the disciple, John, and entrusted the care of his mother to His friend to ensure that she would be cared for by someone after Jesus was gone (John 19:25-27). These women of faith are important to God and have not been forgotten. As believers, we have to step up to the call that Jesus has on our lives and serve those in need.
What really stood out to me is the call on families to take care of their own. While this passage speaks directly about widows, the Bible is very clear that we are to honor our parents. See the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16)! I am now an adult child with the question of how can I support and honor my parents as they are getting older. As Americans, we want to throw money at the situation when maybe the best things we can do to show honor and love to our parents are simple things like regular communication with them, sharing a meal, praying for them, or going with them to a doctor's appointment. Our time and attention can meet needs much deeper than what is on the surface.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be generous with those around us who are hurting and in need, because Jesus was first generous with us by redeeming our lives. Our generous love and care for those around us give us the opportunity to share the love of Christ with those who do not know Jesus yet (1 Peter 2:15-17). Who can you be generous with today?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you know any widows in either your family or church whom you can love, support, or encourage?
2. Why do you think God calls us to take care of the widows?
3. How can you show generous love to someone in your family this week?