The Command to Care 1 Timothy 5

Caring for one another, loving one another is a theme that runs throughout Scripture and is very much the center of the heart of God. Our Scripture today is very clear and I would invite you to read it slowly and think about what Paul is saying.

It is crucial that families care for one another. In our congregation we have many widows and it is important that their needs would be met and that their children pay attention to their needs. But it is not only important for families to care, but for the family of God to care as well. Verse 8 is powerful in that it says, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." WOW! What this is saying is that others are watching and if you declare yourself to be a believer, and are not caring for those in your own household, then your testimony to others would be useless.

Not only does Paul instruct for those in the family to be cared for but also for those who hold leadership responsibilities in the church--especially Paul says, of those "whose work is preaching and teaching." The Pastor of the church is often the target for those who do not like the way things are done or said, so instruction is provided to not only protect the pastor but to also assure that if a leader is in error, it can be handled properly, in order, and in love.

Let us honor and care for one another as the Word of God instructs us to do so!