1 Timothy 5:8-16

Just as God provides for us we are to provide for others. We are family, we are the Body of Christ, we are to care for others who cannot care for themselves and do not have family to care for them. There are no churches that I am aware of that provide ongoing monetary support for widows. But in the Book of Acts everyone who had funds contributed and everyone who had a need drew support from those funds. Now, thank goodness, our government provides some services and picks up where the church fails. We are more interested in our church buildings and programs than in the Church of Christ. If one member hurts all members are to hurt, how did we lose sight of our calling? We are called to love our neighbor as much we love ourselves and to care for them and who is our neighbor…everyone! The church as a whole now finds nothing good to say about anyone who is not of their political inclination, their income bracket or of their denomination….how sad! We are white washed hypocrites. If you cannot say something good about someone be quiet!

A believer is to provide for his own (his near relatives) and his household (his immediate family). Failure to provide for one's family is equal to denial of the faith. If a Christian cannot even care for his or her own family, how can that person sincerely love and care for others? Some unbelievers take better care of their families than believers do. Paul was concerned that younger widows would not have enough to do, and thus would bother everyone else with worthless talk or even harmful and divisive words.

8 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.

9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.