Discerning Who to Help

About this episode

This episode discusses how to discern who to help in the church, particularly focusing on widows and the principles outlined by Paul in 1 Timothy.

Care for those who are truly widows. 1 Timothy 5:16 There will be genuine need in the church. Paul emphasises this three times. “Honour widows who are truly widows ” (5:3).“She who is truly a widow… ” (5:5). “Care for those who are truly widows ” (5:16). How do we know who to help and who to support? The Bible is a wonderfully practical book, and Paul shows us the path of wisdom through two principles: 1. God’s first provision is through the family “If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household” (5:4; see also 5:8, 16). Three times in this passage, Paul makes it clear that God’s first provision for a person in need is through the family. Caring for ageing parents and grandparents isn’t easy, but it brings joy to the heart of God. God said “Even to your old age… I will carry you” (Isa. 46:4). And when you care for an ageing loved one, you reflect the heart and the promise of God. 2. God’s first priority is a godly life “She who is truly a widow… has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives” (5:5-6). Paul describes two kinds of…

People in this episode

Host: Colin Smith

Topics covered

• widows
• church support
• family care
• godly living
• practical wisdom

Keywords

• widows
• church
• support
• family
• godliness
• 1 Timothy
• Paul

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: 1 Timothy

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