Hi Guys,

Thanks for joining again! Great to study together, here we find the text:
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1 Timothy 5:7, “Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.”

Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul instructs Timothy to share these instructions with the Church of Ephesus, comprised not only of those attending the larger gatherings in synagogues/temples but also believers gathering in large numbers of home churches, so that they could implement this guidance as one united body in Christ and save themselves from the blame or reproach tied to not caring for the most vulnerable among them or wasting precious resources on the undeserving.

2. in James 1:27 we learn that, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The Church must not turn a blind eye on the defenseless and most vulnerable who simply cannot fend for themselves.

3. Also, as noted yesterday in Verse 6, supporting the indulgent pleasure-seeking widow not only wastes the finite resources of the Church, it enables and promotes her terrible example to the body of Christ, and leaves the truly needy wanting, feeling overlooked and exasperated. This is the second part of the blame and reproach that Paul is helping the body of Christ avoid with his instruction.

Application.
Brothers, how easy it is to merely read through these seemingly non-controversial passages without realizing the weight of what we are reading!

Paul thought these instructions important enough to share with the entire church. We can deduce that the entire church has a role to play and this is confirmed by James: the Church needs to understand who are the most vulnerable and deserving in its flock. This can be especially difficult in a larger church which is why believers participating in small group gatherings need to understand these instructions to better assess and to call attention to the plight faced by those truly deserving of Church support. This support could be prayer, visitation, physical assistance, and many other ways beyond financial support.
This is why we repeatedly hear that from the pulpit about the importance of joining a small cell group that meets sometime during the week. The Sunday Service (celebration) and small groups (cells) are two wings of our Church: they strengthen the body of Christ making it a vibrant and effective community.

May we keep our eyes and ears open so that we can help the Church most appropriately assist and support those in need!