Widows, Be Committed and Serve

Introduction

God has given us resources and blessed over and abundantly. There is not question about this. However, are we being faithful stewards of what God has provided? Are we being faithful to our families, our ministries, and our widows?

Paul addresses once again the glaring responsibility of taking care of true widows. He once again deepens the church’s understanding of what a true widow is. Then he reminds the family to be faithful of their widow and the church to be faithful to care for the true widow.

As he addresses, somewhere in the middle, he clarifies expectations for the younger widows. To be brief, Paul declares to Timothy that he should teach clarity, provide for the those determined to be true and faithful widows, for younger widows to marry and be faithful to their families, and for us as individual families and as a church family to remain faithful.

Focus Passage

1 Timothy 5:9–16 (AV)9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Outline

Paul continues to address address proper care of widows within the church. While in the previous portion of this chapter he specifically addressed the older widows and what environmental elements (family or no family) set aside a genuine widows from a widow, he now addresses the character of a true widow. It was not just whether family was available to care for the widow or not, it was also dependent on their character.

Paul wanted to emphasize that the church is not just about welfare. It is not about just handouts. The church is about ministry. The church is about good, faithful, and godly stewardship. The church cannot just take care of everyone. We are called to serve. We are called to assist, but we are called to assist and support within the guides of Scripture and faithful stewardship.

It would seem that the early church maintained a list of those widows that they were able to serve and assist, let not a widow be taken into the number. So what determined whether a woman was considered a true and faithful widow? We know from last week, that they could not have family that was able to support. What else determines, Scripturally speaking, what widows could and could not be helped by the church?

What widows could be helped? (vv.9-10)

1 Timothy 5:9–10 (AV)9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Eligibility was determined by age

We know that from our previous text, only those widows who had no family, were able to be helped, But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God (1 Timothy 5:4 AV). Now, we see that age was a factor in who could be and could not be assisted and placed on the registry of the 1st century church for help. Only those who were 60 years of age and older were allowed on the registry, Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old.

What was so important about being 60? To begin with, the retirement age for most adults in the first century was age 60. Most were considered above marital age after 60 years of age. If one was retired and above marital status, then this would prove to be a safe guard for the ministry. They could faithfully serve.

Eligibility was determined by service

Do we get this today? Many in the church believe that when they reach retirement, that they not only get to retire from work, but they also get to retire from service within the local church. May we understand that there is no retirement age within service to the local church and the kingdom of God. One may change positions, change roles, change where and how they can serve, but service does not stop. In fact, when one is retired, and especially a widow, who has no family, home, or work obligations, they are able to be more committed to the ministry within the local church. Paul points this out when he writes, Well reported of for good works…if she have washed the saints’ feet. Now, while we may not want to wash feet and we don’t consider this a desire able thing and we do not see it as an ordnance of the church, let us not overlook the meaning of this act of service. Foot washing was reserved for the lowest of the slaves. It was considered a lowly service. Yet, the widows would do this and why?

Because they were following the example of our Lord the night he was betrayed, when he washed the feet of His disciples. He took the role of a servant. They too, followed and took the role of a servant of the church. Many, would do good to remember that we are here to serve one another and serve the Lord, not to be served. It is because of their commitment to the Lord through service to and within the local church, that the church should take care of them. This brings us to our other variable that Paul uses to distinguish between a widow that can or a widow that cannot be supported within the church. Eligibility was determined by age, determined by service, and...

Eligibility was determined by faithfulness

As already revealed, true widows, those that the church could support were called to be faithful in the Lord, Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trustest in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day (1 Timothy 5:5 AV). In addition to being faithful to the Lord through faith and prayer, they were also called to be faithful to their husband, having been the wife of one man. This does not mean that they had only been married once. In fact, we find that Paul encourages those widows who are young to remarry, I will therefore that younger women marry (v.14a). He stating that they are to literally be a “One-man Woman.” This is in agreement and similar to the same character in requirement of both the pastor and deacon (1 Timothy 3:2,12 respectively).

The true widows faithfulness did not stop with just the Lord and their husband, but they also were to be faithful to their home and children, if she have brought up children. The widows faithfulness was demonstrated in how she served and ministered to those in trouble, those who were strangers, and in any other area that was considered to be faithful service in the Lord, if she have lodged strangers…if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

As Paul addresses the widows that could be helped, he addresses the younger widows with encouragement and warning.

Young widow, be faithful (vv.11-15)

1 Timothy 5:11–15 (AV)11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Paul after directing Timothy to instruct the church on older and faithful widows, changes direction and gives him instruction toward younger widows. While there’s instruction to help older widows, as we have seen, there is a change in direction for younger widows, But the younger widows refuse. Why is this? Why does Paul instruction Timothy, the church, not to assist younger widows?

Paul states that younger widows should not be assisted for several reasons, much of which is determined by age. Remember what Paul stated at the beginning of this text, Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old.

Young widows could not be assisted because...

Despite their pledge, they would have a propensity to lack faithfulness

Paul states, when they begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry. What is Paul stating? He is stating a reality. They could commit with a very real intention of being faithful to God for the remainder of their life, but at some point they would become lonely. They would begin to crave companionship. They would want a relationship and although they would have a relationship with Christ, this relationship alone would not be enough. So, rather than being faithful to the Lord, they would begin to chase after the things of this world, especially the sensual desires of the flesh. Paul addresses this same burning passion within the flesh, especially of the young, and says get married rather than becoming overcome by temptation.

1 Corinthians 7:8–9 (AV) 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

This is why Paul writes to Timothy, I will therefore that the younger women marry. If the younger widows made this pledge and then as life went forward and began to be unfaithful to their ministry or the faith in general, this would bring judgment upon them, having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. Once again, Paul addresses this with believers in Corinth in describing the obligations of marriage and the strain that it places on those in the ministry. It is hard to be as faithful as one wants to be when they have other obligations outside of the ministry and one’s faith.

1 Corinthians 7:32–35 (AV)32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

In neither text is Paul condemning marriage. He is just stating that marriage is an obligation and does hinder, in some degree, an individual’s faithfulness to the ministry and his/her faith.

Despite their pledge, the would have a propensity to be lazy and wonderers

Paul states, withal learn to be idle, wandering from house to house. What would these younger widows be doing as they become lazy and just go from house to house?

Despite their pledge, they would have a propensity to be gossips

Paul writes to young Timothy a warning about these idle and wondering young widows. He explains that they would be collecting and sharing, as the youth state, the latest “Tea.” As us older fold state, talking about the weather. No matter how you describe it, it is simply gossip, simply wrong. Paul writes, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

So, what is the answer to this problem? What is the answer to the younger widow’s propensity to be unfaithful, lazy, wonderers, and gossips? Paul states it clearly.

Rather than give the devil an opportunity, be faithful in other areas that are just as important as ministry within the church.

Young widows be faithful...

Be faithful within marriage

“I will therefore that the younger women marry”

Be faithful to your family

“…bear children, guide the house...”

The first ministry of every woman is to their husband and their home. This has been from the beginning. Part of the result of the fall, was that the desire of the woman would be fore their husband. God has declared that a woman is to take care of their family. We find in Proverbs 31, that this is not limited to the kitchen as many men would want women to believe. No, quite the contrary. We find that women provide for their families in many ways: spiritually, physically, economically, through nurturing and discipline. They bought and sold land. They earned money in the market. Their job is never done. No wonder Paul states for the younger widows to marry and have children rather than make a commitment that they would more than likely not be able to commit to.

Paul gives these warnings for the younger widows because enemy is looking for ways to destroy them. All he needs is a foothold and then he has you, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside to Satan.

Faithfulness is required (v.16)

Paul, as he closes his instructions to Timothy on widows, young and old alike, brings it back to faithfulness and assistance. He does this on two fronts.

He first states that...

Faithfulness is required by the family

“If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged...”

This is reminder of his previous instruction to Timothy, But if any provide not for his own, and specifically for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith is worse than an infidel (v.8). Paul, in this, reminds Timothy we are to take care of our own. The church is not a charity hospital. We are not to be taking care of those that have others that can take care of them first. We are here to take care of the true widow and orphan, those that have no one.

Faithfulness is required by the church

“...that it may relieve them that are widows indeed”

Church, not only do family members have an obligation, we have an obligation. We are called to take care of those that are truly widows, truly orphans. We are called to take care of our own. This is true religion as we have found in the book of James. So, that begs us to ask the question, are we being faithful? Are we being faithful to the widows of our individual families? Are we being faithful to the true widows within our church family?

Conclusion

Where do we go from here? We must first begin with the question, Do I believe? Am I a child of God? Have I accepted the Lordship and Salvation of Jesus Christ over my life? If I have not, that needs to be addressed first. If I have, then I need to begin to address the other questions.

Am I being faithful? Faithful to my family, faithful to ministry, faithful to service, faithful to the Lord? Do I have widows in my life that I have depending on the church to take care of, when it is truly my responsibility? Has my dependence upon the assistance of the church hindered the church from faithfully exercising other ministries?

We must remember that the church is not a welfare program. We have been called to help, encourage, and serve. We are to serve the lost through spiritual encouragement and spiritual avenues of missions. We are to assist those within the church that have no other source of assistance. The church is not an ATM machine and is there to assist but it cannot assist everyone.

God, within His Word, has given us details in how to be good and faithful stewards of the resources that He has given us. Are we following those details? Are we being faithful to giving? Are we being faithful to service? Are we being faithful to missions? Are we being faithful to our true and genuine widows? Are we being faithful?