1 Timothy 5:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than
sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up
children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared
for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
NOTE: There was
apparently a list of widows that were supported by the church. Just being a
widow did not secure a spot on the list. There were stringent qualifications to
be placed on the list. What if a person was a widow without the qualifications?
She would depend upon the gifts of others or on continuing to work. This
particular list identifies widows that (may or may not minister) but were
considered the church's responsibility to provide. One would think any
qualified widow could be on the list, but that was not true. Enrollment
required good service. The reason is probably related to the fact that these
widows mostly continued to minister in the church and were seen as working for
the church (to some degree). Widows who did not meet the requirements would be
a bad addition to the staff, much like adding false teachers to the body.
PRAYER: Father, I
thank you that our government does provide (to an extent) for widows today.
Still, as a church, we must remember the widows and take advantage of those who
have served well. They are an important part of the body of Christ. Help me to
recognize them and to build them up. Thank you for people who show faithful
service.
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