Who Should Honor A Widow?
by Barb Sulfridge
Photo by Katsiaryna Endruszkiewicz on Unsplash Widows. Do you know any? In the United States, 1 million women become widowed every year. This figure represents a population larger than New York City and its surrounding metropolis.
They are all around you. Many are suffering silent tears, begging to be supported in their loss.
While the Bible has much to say about widows, today, I focused on 1 Timothy, Chapter 5, where the Apostle Paul tackles the subject of who is responsible for the widow. His words are for the widow, their families, and the church. They were written in biblical times but have value for us today.
First, Help was not given to all widows.
The widow who is really in need puts her hope in God and asks for His help night and day (verse 5).
She was to live for God, not for pleasure (verse 6).
She was to be over sixty and have been faithful to her husband (verse 9).
She should also be known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds (verse 10).
Those were some pretty heavy requirements back then. But, for today’s widow, my immediate response is that we should show them the love of Jesus so that they will ultimately find comfort in Him.
Second, younger women were not to be put on the widow's list (verse 11).
It was assumed their sensual desires would overcome their dedication to Christ, and they would want to marry, breaking their pledge to their Savior and bringing judgment on themselves (verses 11-12).
I wonder, was Paul speaking from his experience when he said, “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to” (verse 13).
Paul goes on to counsel younger women to remarry, to have children, to manage their homes, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander (verse 14).
We are not to be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14).
I had to visit with one of my pastors on this subject, feeling marriage is a sacred commitment and only to be undertaken with a fellow believer. In biblical times, women had no means of support. In today’s culture, for those young women who feel led to remain single, I believe they should not be pressured into remarrying. Christians and the Church are called to step in and support them.
Third, taking care of the widow was a family responsibility.
If a widow had children or grandchildren, they should put their religion into practice by caring for their family (verse 4).
So, families were expected to step up and help.
Paul said to give people these instructions so no one will be open to blame (verse 7).
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (verse 8).
Paul certainly doesn’t mince any words here!
Fourth, taking care of the widow was the responsibility of other women.
If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them so that the church can help those widows who are really in need (verse 16).
Yes! Let women support their sisters physically, emotionally, or spiritually!
Then, Paul mentions the role of the Church last. What?
But wait! Aren’t we the Church? Aren’t we to be Jesus to others? I don’t believe Paul meant that they were a burden but that they could become a burden to the Church if the body were not willing to step up and help. I have seen it both ways. Some church bodies do a wonderful job supporting widows, and others not so much.
Part 2 of this post will be about how to support the widows you know in your life and church.
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