The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 1 Timothy 5:5-6 (NIV)
Paul describes two kinds of widows, one who puts her hope in God, and the other who lives for pleasure.
Here is a second principle in discerning how we should help a person in need: The church should not give in a way that supports or enables an ungodly lifestyle. It’s right to ask, “Is this person committed to pursuing a godly life?”
Verse 3 speaks about widows who are to be recognized—honored and supported. Verse 9 speaks about widows who are to be enrolled or registered on a list. The qualifications for being on this list are different from the qualifications for receiving support earlier in the chapter.
No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. (1 Timothy 5:9-10)
Notice the qualifications: Age—“over sixty.” Fidelity—“faithful to her husband.” Ministry—“well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”
This is not a list of people receiving support, but of people offering service. This was a group of older people who offered dedicated service to the Lord through the church.
Your experience is a gift you can give to others in your golden years. In many churches there are folks over the age of sixty who are doing this today.
Do you know some people who would make Paul’s list? Reach out to one or two today and encourage them to keep on serving.
