Have you ever wondered which person or group to help? Sometimes it can be overwhelming when we know of so many people and organizations in need.
Timothy may have been similarly overwhelmed, so Paul gave him certain criteria for determining which widows from within the church to help.
I Timothy
5:3-10 3 Give
proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But
if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to
put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying
their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 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. 6 But
the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give
the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone
who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own
household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over
sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is
well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing
the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting
herself to all kinds of good deeds.
Timothy
was to determine:
- The widows who truly needed support
- Those who had no other means of help from family
- Those who had lived pure and purposeful lives
I
often feel badly not supporting ALL the wonderful organizations that need
financial support. However, after prayer, I was led to contribute to certain
organizations doing God’s work. Then, I was able to guiltlessly recycle all the
other requests for support that came in the mail.
Just
as God, through Paul, helped Timothy know where he was to help the needy, God
can help you and me know! Will you ask God who you are to help? Then we can
listen for when and how to help.
Alice
