1 Timothy 5:7-9

The Voice

⁷You should command these things to everyone to keep them free of blame. ⁸And listen, if someone is not providing for his own relatives and especially his own household, then he is denying the faith and is worse off than an unbeliever.

Family members have a duty before God to support their relatives. But when a widow has no family to support her, the church must step in to be her surrogate family. Paul, of course, is thinking of those widows who have served faithfully in the ministry of the church. The elderly are easily forgotten, especially those without caring families. The church is called to honor those who have been faithful servants by maintaining relationships with them and helping them when they are in need.

⁹Now only these should be put on the widow registry: a woman who is at least 60 years old, was a faithful wife to one husband,

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