1 Timothy 5
By Pastor Brad
Who Cares?
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
In February of 1988 this scripture passage became very real to me. At 61 years of age my dad lost his battle with cancer. I was only 24 years old. I miss him.
In my life since his passing I have been fortunate to know several godly men that have continued to speak into my life. I have learned from them and I trust their wisdom and I hold them in the highest honor. Many of them are unaware that I’m listening and paying attention. I probably should tell them.
I’m amazed at my mom and how she has progressed in life these past 23 years, alone. I was really afraid for her at the beginning but I saw God give her the strength to accomplish many things. She has traveled across the country by herself to visit her grandchildren. She has entertained missionaries in her home. She has been a member of the PLNU Women’s Auxiliary, and she has been a friend to a single mom as that mom prepares her son for her death.
My mom was to be at my house this past week but she spent several days last week in and out of the hospital. My mom has been relatively healthy, and so this is difficult to be so far away from her at this time. I’m glad that my two sisters live in the same town as my mom. They are watching her closely and taking care of her. I’m grateful.
In chapter 5 today, Paul is instructing Timothy how to treat the widows of the church. He explains that only those old enough and without any family members to care for them are to be cared for by the body of believers.
As I look around our church family I wonder how many of our widows desperately need help and we are unaware. Is there something that I can do for them? What about you? Do you know of a need and wonder which person will step up and fill the gap? If God has shown you the need, I’m most positive that he wants you to supply it.
It’s not difficult to sense the need; our challenge is our obedience to serve the need.
