Take Responsibility

Joe covered this last week and our passage today continues the theme of the household of God. Today we look at honoring widows and taking care of them the right way.

James writes of the importance of this ministry in his letter:

James 1:26–27 ESV

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

At it’s core, the ministry to orphans and widows , is ministry to those who are truly in need. Not only are they in need, but they lack the means to do anything about their need. They lack the support and help of family. They lack the skills or ability to rise out of their situation.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy we will get a glimpse into God’s design for dealing with these kinds of needs.

PRAY

READ

1 Timothy 5:3–16 ESV

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, 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.

Widows

There are two categories of widows in this section.

Widows that qualify to be on the churches list of widows.

Widows that don’t qualify to be in the churches list of widows.

What was the list of widows?

What we know for certain, is that this was the list of women the church took under it’s wing to provide for and protect because they had no one else.

Who qualified?

1 Timothy 5:3 ESV

3 Honor widows who are truly widows.

1) Truly a widow

1 Timothy 5:5 ESV

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,

2) Alone and faithful

1 Timothy 5:9–10 ESV

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 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.

3) 60 or older,

4) a faithful wife,

5) known for good works,

6) brought up children,

7) showed hospitality,

8) served the church,

9) cared for those in need,

10) devoted to good works.

Within the care ministries of the church there are standards of organization and qualification. Both are required in order to do things in a manner that honors God and protects his household, The Church.

Who doesn’t qualify?

1 Timothy 5:4 ESV

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.

1) A woman with family resources.

1 Timothy 5:6 ESV

6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

2) A woman who wants to live for her own pleasure.

1 Timothy 5:11–12 ESV

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.

3) A younger woman whose devotion to Christ may be thrust aside due to a desire to marry.

1 Timothy 5:13 ESV

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.

4) A younger woman with the energy to go from house to house and church to church but spends that energy in idleness, gossip, being a busybody.

God’s Design

From the beginning, God has built all of the social structures of culture around the family.

1 Timothy 5:4 ESV

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.

It doesn’t just mean your parents. It includes your extended family.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

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.

Failing to take care of family is a sign that our hearts are not in the right place. It is proof that our religion is merely lip-service.

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV

14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

Many modern feminists have called Paul misogynistic due to this verse. Paul is addressing a very specific issue within the culture of his day. For most women, the doors to a career were not open. People were content to find a good marriage and partner with their spouse in order to make the most of what they had in this world.

This slander could be a couple of things. It could be a reference back to the idlers. It could also be a reference to the Ephesian culture that saw single women leading in cult worship and women without purpose would give the enemies of the church ammunition to slander the church.

1 Timothy 5:16 ESV

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.

Verse 8 is usually seen as a responsibility for the heads of homes and rightfully so. Men bare a great deal of responsibility as is clear in the qualifications foe elders and deacons in chapter 3. This verse points out that this ministry to family is essential for both men and women to be involved in.

The Goal

The church would not be unnecessarily burdened but would be able to help those who truly need it.

1 Timothy 5:16 ESV

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.

The Problem

Many people look at the problems in our world and they say, that’s the churches job or that’s the governments job.

God looks at man and says, no . . . It’s your job. Take care of you families. Take responsibility for your family. Don’t pawn off your responsibility to others.

The Solution

commit today to take an active role in the care of your immediate and extended family.

You may not be able to fix all the problems in the world, but you can make a difference by taking responsibility for what God has given you to manage.

2. Bring genuine needs to the attention of the church.

Many people will clamour for the resources of the church because they are strangers to us and they hope to receive something with no accountability. That isn’t the design for God’s church. Our ministry is to be wholistic and include relationship, not just passing at money.

3. Use your life to serve your family and the family of God.

During different phases of life we have different responsibilities. For the young mother serving at home there is a lot on her plate. She may not have as much time to serve in the church. As her children get older, she will become more available. As here children leave home she may have even more time to give to the church. As her parents age, she may need to take a step back in order to care for them. As she ages her ministry may turn from physical service to the service of prayer and supplication. At every phase of our lives, the question is one of devotion.

The key for us today:

Take care of your family.

What needs are there?

How can I help?

How can I grow?

Take care of the family of God.

Don’t overburden the church.

Don’t expect the church to do your job.

Help the church help those truly in need.

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