Older Widows (1 Tim. 5:3-4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 5-21-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Older Widows

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  1Timothy 5:3,4

           

            Message of the verses:  “¶ Honor widows who are widows indeed;

but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.”

      “3 ¶ Give honour to widows who are truly widows.

4  But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.”

            The first quotation is from the NAS95, and the second is from the Bible in Basic English of 1965.  Paul is speaking in this section about widows and in the first part about older widows.  He is giving guidelines on how to care for these widows.  God’s Word has much to say about the care of widows.  In verse three Paul says that honor must be given to widows who truly are widows.  He goes on in verse four to say that the first responsibility of the widow falls onto her family, on to her children and her grandchildren.  Paul is speaking about the total care of the widow, but most of all the financial care of the widow.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  My mother is a widow and it is her 80^th birthday today.  My two sisters take better care of her than I do, and one reason is that they live a lot closer to her than I do.  Another reason is that I find it hard to visit because of wounds that I have that have not been totally healed.  Sandy has a difficult time at times when we visit with those of my family.  These verses really hit home with me.

The Word of God was very convicting to me today, it surely stepped on my toes.

My Steps of Faith Today:  I surely need to do better with my mom for who knows how long any of us have to live on this earth together.  I want to do better not only with my mom but also with Sandy’s parents.

Memory verse for the week:  Romans 6:12

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.