If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. 1 Timothy 5:16 (NIV)
Paul is urging the church to cultivate a culture of caring. He emphasizes that there will be genuine need in the church:
- Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need (5:3)
- The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God (5:5)
- So that the church can help those widows who are really in need (5:16)
We have to discern where there are genuine needs, and that usually begins by asking the right questions. What provision has God already made? What can this person do for himself or herself? What means are already available?
There will be genuine need in the church, and Paul says that the church must give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need (5:3), and the church should help those widows (5:16). But how do we know who to help and who to support?
This is a real question, not just for pastors in the church, but for some of us in our own families. How do you know when to help and when to stand back, especially when money is involved?
Do you see people with genuine need in your church? In your family? How can you help create a culture of caring that will reach out to help meet those needs?