July 1, 2024
Read Judges 18, Isaiah 7, 1 Timothy 5
If there is one thing that the Bible emphasizes in both the Old and New Testament’s it that of taking care of widows and orphans. The Scriptures speaks of these people needing help and that we should be godly people that look after and care for them. That is until you get to 1 Timothy 5 and Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Paul does encourage the church to take care of the widows in the church. “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need” v. 3. He mentions how their hopes are completely in the Lord, “The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help” v. 5. But then Paul goes on to recognize that there are some who are not really in need. “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God” v. 4.
Paul gives several reasons why the church would not support a widow, “No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds” vv. 9-10. He goes on to warn the church that when we provide for capable people, even though they may have the title of “widow” it may make them idle and reliant on others for their living. “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan” vv. 13-15.
Fast forward to our day. I may get some hate for saying this, but I believe it is a biblical principle we should adhere to. The church should not just pass out help and support to everyone that asks for it. We need to carefully examine whether the person can help themselves or if it is truly a need that can be met by the church. It’s hard to look people in the eye and tell them “No” and it’s even harder to try to help people stand on their own two feet when they have been down for so long.
What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 