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God remembers the forgotten – He cares!
In 1 Tim. 5:3-16, the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy of a group of people that is often overlooked and neglected – the needy widows. From the time of Israel’s birth, God is the defender of widows (Deut. 10:18). His measure for justice was how orphans and widows were taken care of (Isa. 1:17). This is the most extensive instruction on this matter in the Bible. It speaks in practical terms to the Ephesian Church of how they should treat their widows. To the widows, it encourages them to live right and live well. The Christian community at that time was probably facing a strain in the help to the poor where widows were probably pushed to Churches for community care (Acts 6:1). Paul reminded Timothy that caring for those in need would please God. Hence the family members of widows should be encouraged to care for them instead of putting an unnecessary strain on community resources. This care for the needy is not only a form of worship to the Lord but it also frees up Church resources to the care of widows who have no family and in real need.
The widows also have a part to play in their possibly lonely lives and in their service to the Christian community. 1 Tim. 4: 9, 10
speaks of how a widow has to serve in bringing up children, helping others in need and doing good works. She is reminded not to live in self-pity but instead “put her hope in God and continue daily to pray and ask God for help”. There is a special mention to the younger widows, who should not be in”the list of widows” if they are below 60 years old. This is because of their relatively young age and having more opportunities to re-marry. Hence, they are encouraged to marry, manage their new households and not fall into the devil’s trap of being idlers or naysayers.
In James 1:27, it is written that pure and faultless religion involves looking after the “orphans and widows in their distress”. God is committed through the Christian community to help those who cannot help themselves. Pray that God will give us the heart for the helpless and love for the forgotten, that we may be channels of grace and love to them and for His glory.
