Caring for family
1 Timothy 5:3-8
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 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. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
This is a good reminder for us as members of a family and a church – ‘religion begins at our own doorstep’ (MSG).
God has placed us in families of origin, and we are specially placed in those families to love and care for each other in ways that those outside the family cannot. If we are inviting lonely and needy members of our church into our homes but we aren’t doing the same for our own relatives, we are neglecting one of the things God has given us to steward.
However, God has also designed church to be a family. So likewise, if we are spending all our time caring for those in need outside the church (though this is also a great and necessary thing!) but there are people within our congregations who are in need, we are again neglecting one of the things God has given us to steward. One of the purposes of church is to be family, especially to those who do not have their own family.
Lord, this week please open my eyes to the needs of those at my own doorstep, family members by either blood/origin or spirit. Thank you that in every way you are a God of relationship!
Written by Rhiannon Mellor