Hi guys,

Verse 4 today of chapter 5. I think Paul is very on point here. although he is writing to Timothy, it is a very good lesson/teaching for all of us.

Here you can find the text I'm reading:

-----------

1 Timothy 5:4, “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”

Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul further develops the thought of the preceding verse regarding the discernment churches must exercise to helping the most vulnerable in their community. Whenever possible, a widow who is not financially secure ought to work and earn her keep. Besides God, a widow’s first line of support is her family, whether it is from her working age children and/or from her grandchildren. Their response to her plight honors both her and it honors God.

2. The focus of the first part of this verse focuses whether or not a widow has living family who can help care for her needs, rather than if her children or grandchildren are believers: immediate family is always the first recommended step for assisting widows in the church. This is true whether the widow’s help comes from a child—either a son or daughter who is old enough to provide help—or a grandchild. We will see in 1 Timothy 5:8 that Christians are obligated to care for their families.

3. Paul’s purpose in encouraging family to care for their elders is so that children and grandchildren can repay the investment made into their lives during their youth. The phrasing, "this is pleasing to God" is the same one Paul uses in 1 Timothy 2:3 regarding prayer for all people, including kings and governing authorities.

Application.
Brothers, part of being the church is to help needy widows reach out to and reconcile (if needed) with their families when their husbands pass away. Today’s technology makes finding people much easier, but it is the relationship issues that require the most discernment, tact and reassurance.

This verse also serves an important reminder that we are called to honor our mother and father. As younger generations marry later and older generations live longer, we will inevitably become a “sandwich generation” for a few years, one where we will end up taking care of our children as well as our parent(s) in their golden years.

This should give us pause as we plan for the future: so many forget to calculate in the costs of caring for their parents and/or wife’s parents should their own retirement funds run out and they can no longer work.
Also, we should also be wise in calculating the costs for our own retirement and for the upkeep/care of our wives should they survive us here on earth. The key point is that we can make plans and rely on the Lord to provide and bless our diligence/stewardship.