We have become an entitlement society. Young people think they are entitled to the latest smartphone or electronic gadget. Former employees believe they are entitled to compensation whether or not they were faithful employees. And men and women of all ages, physical conditions, and situations seem intent on living off whatever they can get. Of course, there are times when churches, families, and even strangers, should take care of others, especially widows, but the Bible gives careful instructions for the dispensing of such help.
Also, read about the cost of obedience, what it has cost others, and what Jesus said about the cost of not standing up for the truth.
Today’s Readings:
Jeremiah 37 & 38
Psalm 119.73-80
Proverbs 27.23-27
1 Timothy 5.1-25
When Should We Care for Widows & Others?
1 Timothy 5.1-25:
Loving Our Neighbors
In Luke 10 when a religious lawyer asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered him with a couple of questions of His own:
26 … “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus went on to tell “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.”
Generosity is commended throughout Scripture and Jesus emphasized that point when He taught this parable. In fact, this Samaritan was generous with his time and money to a complete stranger.
Proverbs 22.9 says:
He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
And Proverbs 11.24-25 says:
There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
In the New Testament, the rich are commanded to give generously (1 Tim. 6.17-19). Former thieves are commanded to work and be generous (Eph. 4.28). Even a poor widow was commended for giving all that she had (Mk. 12.41-44).
As Christians who recognize God as the Giver of everything, we should all be generous. But does that mean that we should meet every need or perceived need? What does the Bible say?
Really Widows
1 Timothy gives some specific instructions for the care of widows, for example. Chapter 5:
3 Honor widows who are really widows.
The passage goes on:
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
One thing is for sure, Paul would never have made it in politics!
But God always gets it right. The church, which was also the social structure and the means of spiritual growth and care, was to provide for those who were “really widows.”
These were widows who had been faithful to their husbands (v. 9), had raised their children, practiced hospitality, and helped others (v. 10). In other words, those who had faithfully served the Lord and who had no close family members to care for them (v. 5).
And they were to continue faithfully serving the Lord like Anna “who did not depart from the temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Lk. 2.27).
And those who were widowed at a young age were to stay busy, not become idle, until such time as God provided another husband (v. 14).
Caring for Family
Widows with close family members who were able to care for them were to be provided for by their own families. Verses 4 and 8:
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
What Might All This Look Like Today?
At the risk of oversimplifying our complex tax system and appearing to agree with everything our government does, I’ll just say this: we pay taxes to the civil authorities who act as God’s ministers whether or not they understand that (Rom. 13.1-7). Part of this is used to provide for those unable to provide for themselves and for those who have worked and paid into the Social Security system.
While we might all agree it’s not a great deal of money, usually, the basic financial needs of widows are met through Social Security and other government programs. But without the help of family and friends, there are many other needs that can go unmet.
The Problems
Having been involved in women’s ministry and as a church staff member for many years, I understand that providing many of those things can become burdensome, be taken advantage of (partly because of human nature, but also because of our entitlement attitudes), and lead to a host of other problems (like married men going to the homes of widows).
But as I studied and thought about this passage, I was reminded that challenges shouldn’t be an excuse not to obey God’s Word. I was also reminded that many of the problems I’ve seen were a result of not following the guidelines Paul laid out for the care of widows. Wisdom can and should be employed. Men shouldn’t, generally, go alone to a woman’s home. In fact, it’s the church as a whole who should be ministering to one another, including widows.
And I believe there are many ways our churches and family members can and should help with those needs. Things such as home maintenance, automotive repairs, meals, and companionship, just to name a few.
How does your church fulfill this command to “honor those who are really widows”? And how can widows stay involved in the ongoing ministry of the church?
But what about others who may want or need the church’s help?
Meeting the Needs of Others
Most churches have some form of benevolence ministry where the needs of their members and others can be considered on a case-by-case basis. But I believe we should do our best to truly evaluate the needs and not reward attitudes that the Bible clearly says are sinful.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat (1 Thess. 3.10).
Of course, it’s impossible for us to fully know the hearts of others and it is usually better to err on the side of generosity, but each situation should be investigated thoughtfully and prayerfully. Also, any ministry to unbelievers should include sharing the gospel.
Helping Our Family Members
And finally, how do we know when to help family members, especially grown children? That’s a subject that many of us have either dealt with or are dealing with now. If you’d like to read more on that subject, you might want to check out this post, “When to Help & When to Get Out of the Way” where I’ve already written more extensively on that subject.
Today’s Other Readings:
Jeremiah 37 & 38:
The Cost of Obedience
Can you imagine being thrown into a dungeon and, eventually, into a well for speaking the truth? Yet, that’s what happened to Jeremiah.
There is often a cost involved in following God. Sometimes it’s rejection by our families or friends and sometimes persecution in the workplace or some other area of society. Jeremiah certainly suffered as a result of his unswerving faith and willingness to speak the truth.
So, what about us? Are we willing to stand up for the truth—in our families, workplaces, schools, and universities? Or do we cave in when it’s too hard or costly?
Jesus said in Luke 14.27, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” But we never carry that cross alone. He has promised He’ll never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13.5). And as Paul told the young pastor, Timothy:
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God (2 Tim. 1.6-8 NIV).
Psalm 119.73-80:
His Merciful Kindness
75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
What if God calls us to suffer persecution or harm for our faith? Will we still trust Him? Will we allow His merciful kindness in saving us to be our comfort? Or will we cast aside our confidence?
Proverbs 27.23-27:
Do You Know the State of Your Flocks?
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks … (v. 23a).
This passage emphasizes the importance of being good stewards in whatever area of life or business God has called us. We should be wise and informed if we are in the business world or the academic world, but we should also be wise and informed as individuals, as parents, as citizens, and as Christians. Do you know the state of your flocks?
Your Thoughts:
How has God spoken to you today? Perhaps you saw a passage in a new light or an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a promise to hold on to? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about whether our faith is genuine, the link between guilt and paranoia, God’s umbrella of protection, principles for good Bible study, and more.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our new sister site Joyful Marriage Ministries. While you’re there, click the “events” tab for information on our upcoming events and ministries, like our Marriage ICU© for couples who are experiencing problems that require one-on-one help.
If this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle on in paperback. The paperback book has 31 days of blank journaling pages and prompts to help you get started.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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