Care for the Family

Welcome

Mom’s Joke

1 Timothy 5:3–8 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.

Take care of your family

Give them proper honor (recognition)

5th commandment (as we read this morning)

Exodus 20:12 ESV

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Truly widows

Those in need

Have no one to go back to

Should 1st be taken care of by the kids or grandkids

Slightly different today

Younger should go back to parents (follow traditional order)

Dowery

Family taking care of the family is pleasing in the sight of God

Acting out of God’s intended order

Church Takes Care of Those in Greater Need

Those Paul is reffering to has 3 aspects

really in need

puts her hope in God

attitude of prayer, day and night.

Dont be self-indulgent

Leaders command to help them be above reproach.

Those who do not take care of their own do not take care of their own family is worse than an unbeliever

Be Enrolled in Ministry

Nun-like order

This is actually one of the verses that the Catholic church points to regarding nuns.

Requirement/Expectations

60+

Wife of 1 husband

Less likely to have family to help

Reputation of good works (order of importance)

Brought up children

Shown hospitality

Washed the feet of saints (humble service before believers)

Cared for the afflicted

Generally devoted to every good work

Younger Widows

Don’t allow to enter this type of service

Can receive aid in genuine distress, but not good to be brought into this type of service

They may be brought away from this type of service to remarry

Will be looked down on for leaving the commitment

May be tempted to be an idler

Going from house to house, being a gossip and busybody

Misusing the opportunity of visitation

Betraying the confidence with which they have been trusted

To avoid, have them remarry

Some have turned from their calling

Ends with a summary statement

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.

Ok, this is a lot of great stuff, but what does it mean for us today?

Family Takes Care of Family

The Church Takes Care of Those in Need

Serve the Church

Serve Your Called Place At the Called Time

Make Sure Everyone is Okay and is Fulfilled in God