In the context of the Bible, "dependents" typically refers to individuals who rely on others for support, care, and sustenance. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of family, community, and the responsibilities that come with these relationships. The Bible provides guidance on how dependents should be treated and the obligations of those who are responsible for them.

Family and Dependents

The family unit is central to biblical teaching, and caring for dependents is a fundamental aspect of family life. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of providing for one's family in 1 Timothy 5:8 : "If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This verse underscores the moral and spiritual duty to care for family members, including dependents such as children, the elderly, and those unable to care for themselves.

Children as Dependents

Children are often the primary dependents within a family. The Bible speaks to the responsibility of parents to nurture and instruct their children. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This training includes providing for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Ephesians 6:4 further instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Widows and Orphans

The Bible places a special emphasis on caring for widows and orphans, who are often seen as dependents in need of protection and support. James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This reflects the biblical mandate to support those who are vulnerable and without traditional family support.

Community Responsibility

Beyond the immediate family, the Bible also speaks to the broader community's responsibility to care for dependents. In the early church, believers shared their resources to ensure that no one was in need. Acts 4:34-35 describes this communal care: "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."

Elders and Dependents

The Bible also addresses the care of elderly dependents. In 1 Timothy 5:4 , Paul advises, "But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show godliness to their own family and to repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God." This reflects the principle of honoring one's parents and ensuring their well-being in their later years.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on dependents is one of compassion, responsibility, and community support. Whether within the family or the broader community, the care of dependents is seen as a reflection of one's faith and commitment to God's commandments.

The Sweetness of Tears
... He was the great patron, the influential man, who had nearly the whole country for
his dependents. ... Generous to his dependents, he did not forget himself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the sweetness of tears.htm

Letter viii. Who are the Cultivated?
... the boastful statement of personal possessions or qualities, the action that causes
pain or inconvenience or discomfort to associates or dependents, all of ...
/.../letter viii who are the.htm

The Mission of the Christian Home.
... Even the brute does this. That it is a part, therefore, of the home mission to provide
for the physical wants of the dependents there, is very evident. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ii the mission of.htm

Our Stronghold
... possessed a castle was lord of all the region round about, and made their inhabitants
either his clients who sought his protection or his dependents whom he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/our stronghold.htm

The Way to Honor
... friendly relationships between men and their servants; I would fain see a restoration
of family loyalty between heads of households and their dependents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the way to honor.htm

Notes
... He had been invited by a lady of good position, well known as a successful worker
among her husband's dependents, to come and address them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the ministry of intercession/notes.htm

Philip and the Emperor
... He was now able to work, and she had so many faithful secretaries, agents, and
dependents, that she had no need of such services as he could render, gladly as ...
/.../chapter lxi philip and the.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... What I said excited attention, and presently all the officers and dependents of
the house, great and small, were gathered around me, from the governor to the ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 62.htm

Whether Providence is Appropriately Ascribed to God
... As the philosopher says in 6 Ethics 12, prudence directs other capacities to an
end, whether it be for one's own sake or for the sake of one's dependents in a ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether providence is.htm

What Constantine the Great Effected About the Oak in Mamre; He ...
... and after carefully husbanding it through the entire year, he offered it according
to promise as provision for that feast, both for himself and his dependents. ...
/.../chapter iv what constantine the great.htm

Dependents (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dependents (1 Occurrence). Genesis 47:12 Joseph
nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father's ...
/d/dependents.htm - 6k

Dependent (35 Occurrences)
... n.) One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for
support of favor; a hanger-on; a retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents...
/d/dependent.htm - 17k

Following (546 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Follow. 2. (n.) One's followers, adherents, or dependents,
collectively. 3. (n.) Vocation; business; profession. ...
/f/following.htm - 7k

Eber (16 Occurrences)
... the people or tribe who came "from the other, side of the river" (ie the Euphrates),
from Haran (Genesis 11:31), whence Abraham and his dependents migrated to ...
/e/eber.htm - 12k

Dependeth (1 Occurrence)

/d/dependeth.htm - 6k

Artemis (5 Occurrences)
... wood or clay. They were made at Ephesus by dependents of the temple, and
carried by the pilgrims throughout the world. Before them ...
/a/artemis.htm - 14k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... The plebeians were descendants of former slaves and dependents, or of strangers
who had been attracted to Rome by the obvious advantages for industry and trade ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Diana (5 Occurrences)
... wood or clay. They were made at Ephesus by dependents of the temple, and
carried by the pilgrims throughout the world. Before them ...
/d/diana.htm - 15k

Abraham (2539 Occurrences)
... Lot and his dependents choose for residence the great Jordan Depression; Abraham
follows the backbone of the land southward to Hebron, where he settles, not in ...
/a/abraham.htm - 50k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... Romans 8:15; Romans 9:4 Galatians 4:5 Ephesians 1:5). 2. Master and Servants: The
"family" as the word is used of ancient peoples included dependents. ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

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