Charity

1 Tim 5:3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 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.

Our heart always goes out to those who cannot help themselves. This is evidence of God’s creation. God cares for other people through our care for them.

Think about it; IF survival of the fittest was truly the rule of life – and if it was it would have to be the ONLY rule because any other thing would clash violently with that rule – than charity would never happen. It would never have occurred to anyone. All life focus would be only on one’s self-interest.

But we do sense another rule in our members. It IS a part of creation to have compassion and love for one another. Inviting Christ to be our Savior greatly intensifies by His power what is already found within our members. (Even the wicked know how to give good gifts to their sons.)

And so, even if we are not actively looking for it, we will notice those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves. We can’t help but notice, even if we try not to. In that notice, we will sense a kind of inexplicable sorrow for that condition judged to be less fortunate than our own. Occasionally, we will also notice those who are not only less fortunate than ourselves, but also completely unable to do anything about it.

These are the ones Paul instructs Timothy to focus upon with the material resources of the church. In this case, widows. True widows. Not just a woman whose husband has passed away, but one who no longer is in ANY position to provide food and shelter through her own family’s support, or through her ability to work.

Throughout God’s Word the LORD has expressed a great desire for His people to be known for how they care for the ‘widows’ in their midst. In this age of social-consciousness, the government has usurped this role to all of our harm. One of the great purposes of His Church and His love has been denied and abandoned.

   -  Pastor Bill