1 Timothy 5:3–8
3Honor widows who are widows indeed; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Focused Thinking:
What does the word “honor” mean in this context?
The word “Honor” means, “to fix the value.”
“Honorarium” means an amount paid for services.
- Acts 6; Acts 9:36–43; James 1:27
How does the church decide which widows are worthy of honor?
Timothy had to be careful not to misuse church funds by giving money to unworthy widows.
In Timothy’s day, as today, there were deceivers looking for hand-outs.
- Deacons should research and investigate every care of charity.
- The church must be responsible with charity in order to provide charity.
Who has the first responsibility for widows?
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety (respect, responsibility, duty) in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
- The “family” has the first responsibility.
- Children and grandchildren are to repay their parents and grandparents and not expect the church to put them on charity.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
What are the requirements for a widow to receive charity?
First, she must be a true widow, without family support or care (5:4).
Second, she must be a godly woman, given to praying and serving (5:5).
- The widows who were supported by the church served the church.
- Examples: Dorcas and Anna
- Reference: Luke 2:36–37
Third, she must be 60 years old or older, with a good testimony, especially in her marriage (5:9).
Fourth, she must bear fruits of the Spirit, evidences of God’s Spirit in and through her life (5:10).
Personal Application:
What should it look like for Highpoint to apply these principles today?
We need to establish deacons in our body to address needs like these.
We need to address this issue now and put in a long term process in order to move in the right direction.
It is amazing how complete the Bible is in every respect.
Are these women consumers (takers) or contributors (givers)?
It appears that the women the church cared for gave more than they received. They weren’t a burden on the mission of the church; they became an asset to the mission of the church.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, help us to be a biblical church from birth to the grave. Help us to be a family that cares about one another instead of just our family, instead of just our needs and, more often than not, our wants. Father, grow our church into a church of selflessness and sacrificial service. Grow our church into a lifestyle of generosity. Give me and the elders of the church a vision for generating generosity among our people. Give us the ability to redefine people’s perception of their money. I pray that our people would see themselves as stewards instead of owners. Father, cause us to value what You value. Cause us to want what You want. Father, make everything in our lives about You and others. Give us the ability to cast the vision of the Great Commission over and over again. I pray that the Great Commission will be contagious in the life of this church. Father, give us the ability to teach biblical stewardship with confidence and without fear. Father, give us the courage and wisdom to call people to repentance and obedience in the area of biblical stewardship.
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