November 12, 2018
1 Timothy 5:1-8 The Message (MSG)
Family relationships are very important in God’s eyes. We are encouraged to lovingly care for one another in good times and in hard times. Our passage today is a great reminder of how our faith should work to love others. True faith expressed in love begins with our families; and if we don’t have families we should open our eyes to see how we can help others who are burdened as they take care of their families. Wisdom guides us to know the truth about where others may find themselves and stirs the servant’s heart within.
1 Timothy 5:1-8 The Family of Faith
5 1-2 Don’t be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.
3-8 Take care of widows who are destitute. If a widow has family members to take care of her, let them learn that religion begins at their own doorstep and that they should pay back with gratitude some of what they have received. This pleases God immensely. You can tell a legitimate widow by the way she has put all her hope in God, praying to him constantly for the needs of others as well as her own. But a widow who exploits people’s emotions and pocketbooks—well, there’s nothing to her. Tell these things to the people so that they will do the right thing in their extended family. Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That’s worse than refusing to believe in the first place.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the reminder to love and care for my family and beyond. You are always encouraging me to see and understand the burdens of others and chose to serve in that place. In Jesus name. Amen.