Here we go, another study today!

Text is here:

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1 Timothy 5:6, “But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.”

Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul continues building on the principle of the preceding verses regarding the discernment churches must exercise to help the most needy/vulnerable in their community. Here he warns against helping the self-indulgent widow whose life contrasts starkly with those widows “who really are in need”. The church should not waste valuable resources on such a self-centered woman whose focus is on anything but seeking the Lord and living a righteous life.

2. It is ironic that a widow, who understands so intimately how fleeting life can be with the passing of her husband, chooses to pursue worldly delights rather than focusing on investing what time she has left on earth preparing for the eternal one. Believing she is free from the “yoke” of marriage, she fritters away her time and any resources provided all in the name of pursuing happiness.

3. Obviously, the church would be wiser to allocate resources/support to someone who faithfully seeks the Lord and carefully stewards whatever support is provided. Supporting the indulgent pleasure-seeker not only wastes the finite resources of the Church, it fosters her terrible example to the body of Christ, and leaves the truly needy wanting, feeling overlooked and exasperated.

Application.
Brothers, this verse provides us a somber reminder that we must exercise discernment in the face of requests for charity. From the extravagant and/or hedonistic widow to the drug addict /alcoholic begging for money for their next hit/bottle to the able-bodied man that rather take handouts than work, this world is filled with entitled and misguided people. As each situation is different and there may be extenuating circumstances, our first response must always be to pray and seek the Lord’s wisdom in order to better discern what our response should be.

Also, we should be very careful to make sure that we do not become dead even though we live. As James 2:17 reminds us, faith without works is dead. We must be very wary of becoming spiritual Peter Pans: spiritual babies that consume and consume but never mature or bear fruit for the kingdom.

Lastly, there is nothing wrong with enjoying life or even the finer things in life as long as God is both our priority and our Master. The best litmus test for whether He is or not comes when we have to sacrifice or forgo the vacation, new car, or whatever that “earthly delight” is. If we can do it with joy, knowing He is fully in control of the situation and has our best interest in heart, then we know we have our priorities aligned and that He sits on the throne of our hearts.