Caring for Widows

The Order of Widows

June 23 is International Widows Day

There are 258 million widows in the world today. Many are widows as a result of war in their home country.

God cares about the needs of widows. like the Widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17

A. Qualifications

1 Timothy 5:9 NASB95

9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

1. Age

1 Timothy 5:9 NASB95

9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

2. Marriage

1 Timothy 5:9 NASB95

9 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

3. Reputation

1 Timothy 5:10 NASB95

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

4. Child Rearing

1 Timothy 5:10 NASB95

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

5. Communion

1 Timothy 5:10 NASB95

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

6. Caring

1 Timothy 5:10 NASB95

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

7. Devotion

1 Timothy 5:10 NASB95

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Like Anna.

Luke 2:36–37 NASB95

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

B. Disqualifications

1. Age

1 Timothy 5:11 NASB95

11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

2. Desire

1 Timothy 5:11 NASB95

11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

3. Pledge

1 Timothy 5:12 NASB95

12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.

4. Idleness

1 Timothy 5:13 NASB95

13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.

5. Gossip

1 Timothy 5:13 NASB95

13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.

C. Remedy for Those Who Are Disqualified

1 Timothy 5:14–15 NASB95

14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15 for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

Ruth was one who was encouraged to remarry.

Summary:

1 Timothy 5:16 NASB95

16 If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

God

Widow of Zarephath 1 Kings 17