Supporting Widows

1Timothy 5-Part 2
Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.   1 Timothy 5:3-4


LET IT GLOW

She needed a car, so we gave her our red Citation to use. Later on, Mom came to visit us (in another part of the state) and we took her used car shopping. She made a good choice and that one lasted her for the rest of her days. Her worn out couch needed replacing, so we gave her ours, with a hid-a-bed. Not only did it provide us with a place to sleep when we came for a visit, it also gave her a nice couch to sit on. There were few things we could give her to meet her needs. Mom had a good retirement income from her work at the local post office and dad's cattle herd. She lived comfortably  in the only house they bought for the last ten years of her life, as a widow. Family takes care of family. Mom had watched over her dad, my dad watched over his dad, both after my grandmas passed away.
Do you have any widows or widowers in your family?

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world," states James 1:27.

What is acceptable in God's sight?
In chapter 5, we read about two types of widows: those who had relatives to care for them and those who had no living family members. Those who had family were to receive support from their family. Caring for one's own family should have high priority in a Christian's life. (Shepherd's Notes)

KJV uses the word nephews, ekgonos in Greek, which meant descendant, usually a grandson. If widows had descendants it was their obligation to care for these widows.

Piety means reverence toward God; devoutness. (Webster's Dictionary)

Honor means to show respect or care, to support, or to treat graciously. Although it includes meeting all kinds of needs, Paul had in mind here not only this broad definition, but primarily fincancial support.

MacArthur Bible Commentary states:

Children and grandchildren are indebted to those who brought them into the world, reared them, and loved them. Fulfilling this responsibility is a mark of godly obedience (Ex. 20:12).

If a relative is unwilling to help support his loved one, then He is worse than an unbeliever (verse 8).

Are we obeying this command concerning widows in our family?


LET IT GROW

Meeting the needs of a desolate widow, as was the responsibility of the church, had some requriements for her to meet according to Paul:

• She trusted in God; a Christian giving herself to spiritual matters. She's a part of this fellowship.
• She gave herself to supplication and prayers, interceeding for others, not in a gossiping way.
• She is at least 60 years old. (In that day, she was unlikely to remarry at that age.)
• She had a good marriage record; not divorced.
• She is a witness of good works; a humble servant of our Lord; a Christian mother; cared for the needy-hungry, sick, sorrowing; hospitable.

If she was a widow indeed and had no family to care for her, this responsibility fell upon the church.
Paul urges the church to show respect, compassion, and responsibilit concerning the widow who was a widow indeed.

Is our church doing this?


LET IT GO

Support family widows or widowers.

Encourage the church supporting them.