Discerning Who to Help

Care for those who are truly widows.

1 Timothy 5:16

There will be genuine need in the church. Paul emphasises this three times. “Honour widows who are truly widows” (5:3).“She who is truly a widow…” (5:5). “Care for those who are truly widows” (5:16).

How do we know who to help and who to support? The Bible is a wonderfully practical book, and Paul shows us the path of wisdom through two principles:

1. God’s first provision is through the family
“If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household” (5:4; see also 5:8, 16).

Three times in this passage, Paul makes it clear that God’s first provision for a person in need is through the family. Caring for ageing parents and grandparents isn’t easy, but it brings joy to the heart of God. God said “Even to your old age… I will carry you” (Isa. 46:4). And when you care for an ageing loved one, you reflect the heart and the promise of God.

2. God’s first priority is a godly life
“She who is truly a widow… 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” (5:5-6).

Paul describes two kinds of widows, one who puts her hope in God, and the other who lives for pleasure. The church should not give in a way that supports or enables an ungodly lifestyle.

So here are two practical questions to consider: What provision has God made for this person? What commitment has this person made to God?

There will be times when God provides through the kindness of His own people. Responding to the promptings of the Spirit so that a person in need experiences God’s provision is a wonderful ministry that glorifies Him.

Who will experience the help of God through your kindness this week?