Morning Moments

1 Timothy 5:3-16 (KJV)

WIDOWS

The Condition - widows indeed
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Let's be realistic about this - Today's widow 60 and above does not need family support nor church support. Most in America have been left an estate on which they may live comfortably. But there are exceptions for which the church is to be responsible. I personally know of several who live very meagerly. If anything goes up and the medicare goes down they will have to have help. Most churches are struggling themselves with building payments, staff, and all the expenses that come with a growing church. The interest some church pay on loans alone would cover all those widows in the country.

The Children
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

After my dad died, my mother developed Alzheimers and with a wife and four children we took her into our home. I was the pastor of a small church so I took on two additional jobs to take care of my mom. We MUST do what we MUST when we MUST do it. I got a real estate license and an insurance license and worked hard seven days a week, but we made it by the grace of God.

The Consecration
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

If it were not for these godly widows in the church many of us preachers would not have made it. Loving, praying, giving sacrificially, these widows are a blessing to any church and they need to be cared for above the choir, the youth, the whatever else we have created. They have cared for the church and now the church should care for them.

The Carnal - "dead while she liveth"
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

One of the main differences in the young widom and the old is that the old is more often content - WITHOUT LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MAN. Whether she had a good one or a bad one, it is easier to live without one. There are exceptions, but she usually finds friends with the same experience and they enjoy themselves together. Whereas younger widows get into a "singles Sunday school class" and look for a single man, OR as the text indicates choose personal pleasure over prayerful perserverance. My wife and I sat in our living room this very week with someone whose spouse died and after two years remarried and is now seeking out of the marriage. Sometimes it is just better to stay single.

The Charge - "worse than an infidel"
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

We often take this verse out of context, but in context, it is referring to any man who finds himself with family in the above situation. It is our responsibility to care for our own, and if we do not, we are worse than an infidel. I have two sisters whom I love dearly and would do anything for. If they were in this situation we would care for them as we cared for my mom. It is our Christian duty, gentlemen.

Paul does not say to Timothy, "suggest this", but "give in charge", which indicates the use of authority. Insurance is a good thing this day in time, but it does not always cover the expenses of the widow above, so we must take up the slack.


The Conditions -

Her Age
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old,

The text is very clear that she who is under the age of sixty does not qualify.

Her Allegiance
...having been the wife of one man,

The text is also clear here. As with the leaders of the church, she is to be a one man kind of woman - not one at a time.


Her Actions
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

She must have a reputation of loving and serving the Lord. This is where many are exempt. She must have lived hospitably, serving the Lord, serving the church, and caring for others.

The Care - "relieve them"
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

If family is able to cared for them, the church is relieved of the responsibility. Family MUST unless it is absolutely impossible. Sell your boat, your golf cart, or whatever other toy you might have and take care of your mother. IT IS YOUR GOD GIVEN DUTY! After all, she took care of you.

BLESSINGS!