READ:
1 Timothy 5
Chapter 5 gives very practical tips on how to treat people. In this passage, Paul gives instructions for widows (both young and old) and elders. He goes into detail about which widows should be helped and how the church should interact with their elders. Many things can be learned from these words of Paul. First, it’s not the responsibility of the church to help everyone, no matter how they act or have acted. There is much room for grace, as we learn elsewhere in the Bible, but in the face of limited resources, decisions have to be made and the personal godliness of a person is a consideration when making decisions. It is very true that often people find themselves in helpless situations because they have made very poor choices. There is a balance here, helping those who are deeply hurting and yet finding ways to support godly behaviour. The Spirit needed to lead the early church in these matters, as He does for all churches today.
Second, in speaking about leaders, God says that they are worthy of honor. They are dealing with a bunch of different (and difficult) situations and circumstances. While nobody will be perfect, and indeed there are times where correction is necessary, our church leaders need our love and support. “In the same way, good deeds are obvious and even those that are not cannot be hidden” (v. 25). We can spend much time lifting up our leaders in prayer, asking God to do a powerful work in them and through them.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
We may or may not see in
this lifetime the effects we have on people, whether through prayer or action.
But God wants to encourage us that He does see these things. Ask Him to show
you one area that He is proud of you for being obedient in serving others, or
in Paul’s words, where you, “give proper recognition to those . . . who are
really in need.”
2.
This chapter gave practical
areas that we can serve Him – to widows (or perhaps elderly people) and church
leaders. Pray and ask God if there is something He would like you to do for
these particular people. Schedule some time in your day (or week) and do it!
Also ask Him if you’ve been helping someone that you shouldn’t be out of false
compassion or guilt.
3.
Another demographic of
people that need our love and support are the young moms who feel overwhelmed
with the task of being a godly wife and mother. Again, ask the Lord if there is
a mom you know that could use a boost of encouragement. This does not have to
be a large scale action. It can simply look like a note, a text or a phone
call.
