In 1 Timothy, chapter 5, we learn how to treat one another on a daily basis. I love how Paul mentions different types of people and their scenarios, so we will dive right into what was spoken. He said, “rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.” (1 Timothy 5:1-4) For elderly men, we need to show them respect and not criticize them. We should treat them as we would our father. Now, speaking of younger men, we treat them as we would our own our brothers. As for elderly women, we are to honor them and treat them as we would our own mothers. For younger girls and women, we treat them as we would our sisters. Not with lust, but looking at them as important to God. Widows are also very important to God, therefore, we ought to show them our respect also. Nobody knows what they have gone through losing their spouse. Now the children of a widowed parent should be there for them more than others. This means taking time out of our weekend and visiting our dear parents once a month if possible. If not, phone calls are good, and visiting every couple of months is huge. This makes a big difference in their coping with a loss.
When it comes to widows, Paul spoke even more about them, for they are very important to the church as a whole. Remember this when you are thinking about visiting somebody who goes to your church. This widowed man or woman might have been praying for someone to knock on their door and you could be the answer to their prayers. Now, every person who is a widow also needs to hear the counsel given to them by Paul. He said, “now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:5-8) Paul mentions women that are widows here, but I believe what he said applies to men also. Any person who is a widow needs to remember the Lord, their God often. They do this through daily scripture study in the Bible, through constant prayer, and doing God’s will. This will help them stay strong in the faith and not drift away. It is when people live their lives in the pleasures of this world, is when they forget God and get into a lot of trouble. That person is dead in their sins until they repent and get right with God. Therefore, remember that these people struggle as we do and need our help. So show them our deepest love, even with Christ in us.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help me to love one another as You do on earth. May I learn to see people as You do. So many people are treated unkindly and that needs to stop. So do a wok in me like never before. Help me to see every people’s worth, and not as my flesh sees them. We often find ourselves very busy in this world and tend to be to ourselves when other people are suffering and need our help. We also judge people so often before we really meet them. I can just imagine how people are feeling after we have made them feel so terrible inside. These are the things that are I pray stops. There is already so much ridicule happening in the lives of non-believers, and I pray that we can be a light instead. And if this is happening behind closed doors with people in the church, I pray that they will repent and get right with You, oh Lord. Only by coming to You often in Bible study, and prayer, can You teach us how to live a holy and righteous life. Not a religious life, but a changed life for You. And as we step foot in this darkened world, help us to begin to treat the younger generation as our brothers and sisters. Even the older generation as our father and mother. If we meet a person who is widowed, that we will be so respectful to them and their loss. You can help us do all this, of which we will make a difference in this world. I trust in You, God. I love You. Amen.
