10.25.2014 New Testament: 1Ti 5.14–16

To read the Bible in a year, read First Timothy 5 on October 25, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

What does a woman do when she loses her husband? How will she survive financially? In the first century, this was a major problem, because, as far as we know, life insurance did not exist. Therefore, her family was to take care of her, and in the case of the church, the church helped certain widows,

Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already turned aside after Satan. If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows (1 Timothy 5.14–16). 

The younger widows were free to remarry, but the older ones who did not wish to remarry, or for whom there may not have been any eligible men, their families had to take care of them, but if she did not have family, or even if the family refused, the church was to take care of them.

What do you do to help widows? If they did not need financial help, find out what else they need.