July 21
Older & Younger Widows
1 Timothy 5:9-16
- Let no one be put on the roll of widows [who are to receive church
support] who is under sixty years of age, or who has been the wife of more
than one man;
- And she must have a reputation for good deeds, as one who has brought
up children, who has practiced hospitality to strangers [of the
brotherhood], washed the feet of the saints, helped to relieve the
distressed, [and] devoted herself diligently to doing good in every way.
- But refuse [to enroll on this list the] younger widows, for when
they become restive and their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw
themselves against Christ [and] wish to marry [again].
- And so they incur condemnation for having set aside and slighted their
previous pledge.
- Moreover, as they go about from house to house they learn to be idlers,
and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not
say and talking of things they should not mention.
- So I would have younger [widows] marry, bear children, guide the
household, [and] not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or
reproach.
- For already some [widows] have turned aside after Satan.
- If any believing man or woman has [relatives or persons in the
household who are] widows, let him relieve them; let the church not be
burdened [with them]; so that it may [be free to] assist those who are truly
widows—those who are all alone and are dependent. (Amplified Bible)
These verses give instruction concerning older and younger widows. He’s
saying the church should support the older widows who have no family to support
them. One who has a reputation for good deeds and who has devoted herself
to good deeds.
But it’s better for those who are younger to marry again rather than to
have too much time on their hands and to have a strong physical desire to marry
which causes a problem for them. It’s better for them to re-marry than
to make a commitment to the church and be supported by the church and then
change their mind because they want to marry again.
It seems that the widows who received financial support from the church
devoted themselves to the church. If a woman was young and after a period
of time wanted to marry again, that was a problem because there were those who
changed their minds about their commitment to the church and ended up turning
against the Lord as well.
It’s better if families take care of their own rather than putting the
responsibility on the church and have someone make a commitment to the church
they can’t keep.
Confession:
I will support the church’s efforts to support the elderly widows who have
no family. I will do my part to help the younger widows through their
grief and find their means of support.
