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: So, the church
enrolled some widows but not others. The age description makes sense, but one
wonders why there was a requirement for good works. It could be that the church
honored widows who had served well by providing for them a sort of pension. But
others, of the same age, who had not, could not be on the list. Certainly, the
church would support them as they would the poor and those widows would require
their family to support them, but they couldn't receive this special
compensation from the church--which really amounts to a pension of sorts for
ministry. It seems harsh at first, but upon further reading, it is more of a
special honor for service.
PRAYER: Father,
these are dark days. The enemy is attacking people on all sides. Widows were
honored for service and we too need to be serving. We need to stay away from
sin. We need to keep our faith. We need to trust a good God. Forgive us for our
many failures. Help us to love and serve others during these dark days.
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