1 Timothy 5:3-8

Honor widows who are truly widows.  But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.  She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.  Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The church has a responsibility to care for the widows that are in their midst.  However, the primary responsibility falls to family members who are of the faith.  It important for the testimony of the church and the Christian family in the community that widows be taken care of.  The way we treat these women will demonstrate the love and faithfulness of Christ to the world in which we live.

PROTECTING OF WIDOWS: One of the earliest conflicts in the church was over the care of and provision for widows.  Since the woman’s husband was dead, she needed the protection of the church or her family.  She was not to be forgotten or ignored but honored.  However, the family of the widow had the primary responsibility to provide for and protect the widow.  Since children and grandchildren benefited from their parents’ care when they were younger and unable to care for themselves; they now are expected to care for their parents in their time of need.  Only if a widow was left without children, did that responsibility fall to the church.  Taking care of our aging family members is a practical way to demonstrate godliness and please the Lord.

PRAYER BY WIDOWS: The widow has a unique opportunity to serve the body of Christ.  Since she no longer has a husband to help and if she has not children; she is free to focus on ministry within the body of Christ.  Specifically, she can become a prayer warrior.  She can be completely focused on things of the Lord and He is the source of her hope.  Since the church is providing for her physical care, she has time available to dedicate to prayer.  Paul says she is to exercise this ministry of supplication and prayer both night and day.  She is to have her focus on worshiping the Lord and serving the body of Christ around her by asking God to provide for their needs as they are providing for her needs.  The extra time that she has in her current marital status should not be used for self-indulgence or pity.  Her focus should be on God and others.

PROVIDING FOR WIDOWNS: This life of provision for member of one’s own family is the basic building block of the society.  It is something that should be natural to both believers and unbeliever.  If a family of believers does not provide for one another, specifically for widows; Paul says that they are being worse than unbelievers and have denied the faith.  The Spirit of God who indwells believers will lead family members to provide for one another, especially a widow that is a part of their own household.  Failure to do so demonstrates either a lack of the Spirit in that person’s life or rebellion against Him.

APPLICATION: Make sure that our churches have a ministry designed to help widows that are left without family members that can provide for her.  Encourage widows to turn the sorrow at the loss of their husband into an opportunity to focus on worshiping the Lord and serving the body of Christ through prayer.  Confront the children of widows who refuse to care for their mother or grandmother.