1 Timothy, Day 4 | RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CHURCH
Scripture Reading: I Timothy 5:1 – 6:2
The title of today’s devotional is, “Relationships in the Church.” But it would also be appropriate to add to that “and Family” after reading the Scripture passage for today. A lot of problems in our society today could be solved if we lived by the instructions included in our reading.
We can start with the first 2 verses and glean much from them. We are to treat older men and women as fathers and mothers. And the younger men and women as brothers and sisters. If we treated them in such a way as we would treat our own family, that would help a lot of relationships. Of course, we are to do so with absolute purity and love.
The passage then goes on to talk about widows, and here is where I would add to the title. The basis for me saying this lies in Verse 8, which states, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” The responsibility for taking care of someone in your family falls first on your family. The church can be a backup, but Paul’s inspired teaching to Timothy makes it clear it is the duty of the family. Refusing to do so is wrong. Of course, there are questions about how much help, and how often, that come into play. Those are best left to be evaluated on an individual level. I paint with a broad brush when sometimes a small brush is needed.
The passage is also very clear to the church: If there is a widow in need who has put her faith in God and has no family to help, we need to help. And that is the beauty of our Fellowship Fund. As a deacon, I have seen that fund used to help many individuals and families who have no other alternative.
As you go through this day today, think about how life would be different for us as a society if we followed the guidelines God has given to us in this chapter. And then, let’s put them into practice so that others can see our faith in action. After all, isn’t that the problem with our society today: They don’t know God. Let us show them the way by how we treat our own!
Dave Kellerman