5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone PUTS HER HOPE IN GOD AND CONTINUES NIGHT AND DAY TO PRAY AND TO ASK GOD FOR HELP. 1 Timothy 5
Desperate circumstances can really become our salvation when they drive us to God. These widows described by Paul are in desperate need, but whenever they turn to God He will help sustain them.
The second picture we looked at yesterday, shows another type of person, ones with too much time on hand.
13 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.
11-13 3. Don’t put the younger widows on your list. … Moreover, they get into habits of slackness by being so much in and out of other people’s houses. In fact they easily become worse than lazy, and degenerate into gossips and busybodies with dangerous tongues. 1 Timothy 5 PHILLIPS
Two contrasting pictures, the one crying out to God Day and Night, but the other spending their days with others in idle gossip. Those involved in such things soon turn away from God.
WHATEVER TAKES US AWAY FROM OR COMES BETWEEN US AND THE LORD IS DANGEROUS!
Paul then speaks about the Elders, ‘who direct the affairs of the Church’. Those who do it well are worthy of Double Honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. In Acts 6:2 the apostles said, ‘it would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God’ for things of lesser importance. Elders were responsible for Preaching and Teaching the Word of God in the early Church. They shouldn’t take on other duties in place of this vital ministry. Paul also said that they must be rewarded for their work. Lastly, no accusations should be heard against them, unless it was from two or three witnesses, a protection for them. (Touch not the Lord’s anointed.)
20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
Public Honour for those who serve well, but public rebuke for elders who sin. Everything is to be acknowledged publicly. Better hidden things be revealed here with opportunity to repent, than taken into eternity.
Paul charged Timothy solemnly before God and all of heaven ‘to keep these instructions WITHOUT FAVOURITISM’. These were the guidelines Paul received by the Spirit to pass on to Timothy and the Church and they were to be honoured.
Paul includes a further personal word for Timothy to take some wine for his stomach to reduce his frequent illnesses. Personal touches that God retained in His Universal Word.
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
Sins and good deeds remain with us for the judgement.
May God bless and keep you today.