In what ways can we support widows who embody 1 Timothy 5:10? The Portrait Painted in 1 Timothy 5:10 “and is well reputed for good works: if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.” (1 Timothy 5:10) Paul describes a woman whose life has overflowed with service. Because Scripture is accurate and literal, the church must respond to such faithfulness with real, measurable support. Why the Church Must Respond • 1 Timothy 5:3 — “Honor widows who are truly widows.” • James 1:27 — “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” • Psalm 68:5 — “A father of the fatherless and a champion of widows is God in His holy dwelling.” God’s own character sets the standard; His people imitate Him by honoring and caring for these women. Practical Congregational Steps • Regular financial provision - Budget a monthly stipend for each qualifying widow (1 Timothy 5:16 safeguards church resources by calling families to help first). • Consistent companionship - Arrange weekly visits, phone calls, or shared meals so loneliness never gains ground (Acts 2:46). • Home and health support - Organize teams to handle repairs, yard work, transportation to appointments, and grocery runs (Galatians 6:2). • Medical advocacy - Assign trusted members to accompany her to doctors, track medications, and navigate insurance paperwork. • Honor and recognition - Publicly thank her during worship services or newsletters, letting the whole body celebrate her example (Romans 13:7). • Emergency relief fund - Maintain a designated account for sudden needs like appliance replacement or unexpected bills. • Legal and administrative help - Provide pro-bono assistance with wills, power-of-attorney forms, government benefits, and tax preparation. Empowering Her Ongoing Ministry • Mentoring younger women (Titus 2:3-5). • Hosting prayer or Bible study groups in her home, leveraging her gift of hospitality. • Serving on the church benevolence team; her experience equips her to discern genuine needs. • Writing encouragement cards or making follow-up calls to the sick and shut-in—continuing to “help the afflicted.” Supporting her includes creating avenues to keep using her gifts, not sidelining her. Family First, Church Next 1 Timothy 5:4 — “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first…” Families bear primary responsibility. Encourage sons, daughters, and grandchildren to: • Cover housing or rent. • Rotate weekly check-ins and meal prep. • Include her in holidays and vacations so she feels rooted, not forgotten. When relatives obey this command, the church can direct its resources to widows who have no family safety net. Personal Ways Every Believer Can Help • Pray faithfully for her physical, emotional, and spiritual strength. • Send regular texts or handwritten notes with Scripture promises. • Invite her to coffee, errands, or hobby groups so she remains active. • Slip a gift card into her Bible for groceries or clothing. • Offer rides to mid-week services, Bible studies, or social outings. One person’s small act often answers another person’s desperate prayer. The Ripple Effect When a congregation honors widows who have “devoted themselves to every good work,” it does more than meet needs. It testifies to a watching world that the gospel creates a family where no faithful servant is left alone. In turn, younger believers gain a living picture of lifelong devotion and are stirred to follow the same path of self-giving love. |
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