Family Matters (Part 2)

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Living Together as God’s Church

Living Together as God’s Church

Paul began with laying the foundation - the gospel of Jesus Christ, the savior of sinners, and orders the life of the church upon that foundation. The second half of the letter, he gets into the very practical nature of the church’s ministry. What’s at heart here is our life together as the family of God, how we speak to one another, and how we care for each other.

In particular, today, how are we to care for the widows, those who are unable to care for themselves?

We’ll examine God’s design for how we should exercise this care as a church, but also, I pray, see how this ministry is rooted in and proclaims the gospel of Christ.

Honoring Widows (3-8)

Paul instructs Timothy to Honor those who are truly widows

God’s special care for the widows and orphans

Throughout the scriptures (Deut, the prophets) God shows a compassion for the vulnerable and oppressed, those who can’t provide for themselves.

Ps 146:9 The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

This is the gospel: that God would save those who were unable to save themselves.

Eph 2:4–5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Paul says to Honor - set a value on - provide for

Remember: in the 1st century there was no retirement fund, no social security, no welfare or insurance. If possible, the widow would come under the care of the eldest child, otherwise she was left to the kindness of others.

The church, as we see in Acts 6, was committed to a daily distribution of bread to the poor, especially to the widows of the church.

Those who are truly Widows.

Paul was also mindful that the church has limited resources, so they had to discern who they could help.

Those who had no other financial provision. If they were left alone, without resources, and with no other family to help.

Those who put their hope in God and pray day and night; that is, those faithful women who humbly trust in God to provide, to save, and had committed themselves to the Lord in prayer

Those who don’t qualify: The self-indulgent widow.

Self-indulgent - necessitates that she has a source of income, and that she is spending it on the luxuries of the world. Paul said she is dead even while she lives.

Filled with the things of the world, not the things of God. They aren’t to be considered for care as widows.

How are we to apply this, and Honor widows today?

The primary care for the widow is her own family.

Repaying their mother’s provision - an honor owed by her family. Children: care for your parents! Godliness begins at home.

Jesus rebuked Pharisees for taking what they owed their parents and hiding it as an offering.

Jesus said from the cross: “Woman, behold your son, and to John, Behold your mother.”

Not that children must provide everything, parents should plan ahead, and sometimes more professional care is needed. But in all times, we are called to honor our parents.

Side note: Parents - don’t keep the receipts.

The secondary care for widows is the Church

To honor, provide for, genuine widows. Deacons tending to their needs for food and safe shelter; elders seeing to spiritual care through visiting and prayer, all members praying for them.

This is pleasing to God. The way we care for one another, particularly the poor and needy, glorifies God and demonstrates the power of the Gospel.

To neglect this is to deny the faith:

A denial that we are one family in Christ.

Worse than unbelievers: even the Gentiles know this.

The Widows Ministry (9-16)

Let them be enrolled - They are to seek out the care of the church

Ministry to the Widow

Widows who received the Church’s care & provision.

Ministry of the Widows

Widows who served the church in prayer & witness.

Qualifications

Over 60 years… beyond having children in the home, and often, beyond desiring to be married again.

A wife of one husband - faithfulness in marriage

A reputation for good works:

Raising Children,

Showing hospitality to strangers,

Washing the feed of saints - served in humility,

Caring for the afflicted,

Devoted to every good work.

Like the qualifications for elders and deacons - these are the kinds of ministry that should be evident in their lives, and that the widows might be called on to do to assist the church.

Not for the Younger Widows

Their passions might lead them from Christ to get married. Paul is not against marriage, or widows remarrying (1 Cor 7).

But younger widows are not enrolled because they may later change their mind and want to get married, then have to go back on their oath ESV - abandoned former faith… a better reading is “turned from their oath”

Judgment here is not condemnation, but more of a censure for having made a vow then broken it.

Younger women with too much time on their hands might also become idlers

Going from house to house, spreading gossip, meddling in things that don’t pertain to them, not building up other young women in the faith. Their instruction is to marry, to raise children, manage their home, and care for others.

Application

Every church I’ve served has had an exclusive group: the community of widows. No one wants to be a part of it, but they are glad to have it when they are. In it they find the support, compassion, encouragement, fellowship.

A call to women in the Church - not just the widows

To raise up the next generation in the faith, to show hospitality, to serve humbly, and to care for the oppressed. Every woman should strive for a reputation of good works, demonstrated in these ministries. Don’t let your life be marked by indulgence, idleness, or gossip - but with godliness. Older women, and widows especially, are called upon to set this example for the women of the church.

The Church is to encourage all widows (vs 7)

By ensuring that their needs are met -

helping with the bills, projects and needs, and that their family is taking care of them

To put their hope in God:

Hope for provision for their daily bread, their ongoing needs, and in particular, their hope for salvation in Jesus Christ.

Hope for reunion with all who have gone before

To continue to pray steadfastly - being devoted to this

With opportunities to serve in prayer, hospitality, and care

Our Life Together as the Family of God

The gospel is at the heart of our life together

The only thing that holds us together as the Church is our shared faith in Christ - but that life in Him is a lasting bond

The gospel sets the tone for our life together

Knowing the gospel - how God cares for those no one else does, that God helps those who cannot help themselves, should direct us so that everything we do is fueled with the same grace God has given us.

The gospel is proclaimed in our life together

As the world sees how we care for and love one another, they will see the Gospel lived out.