But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8
The apostle Paul gave this observation to Timothy in the context of providing careful instructions for how the church can care for the physical needs of indigent widows. In the first century, when a husband died and family property was divided, often the widow was left with little to nothing. The church immediately stepped into this gaping need very early in church history to provide for the poor and the grieving.
But Paul made it clear that the first avenue of assistance was family. The church was to identify and encourage ways that family can help first. Adult children should always honor their parents. This included them being the first line of care for widows. Any family that refused to help a widow among them was denying the Christian faith as Paul taught it. The obligation to help the elderly is very, very Christian. We cannot abandon family to the world as they age and become an “inconvenience” to our selfishness.
This is a ministry that must still engage the 21st century church, as aging Baby Boomers care for elderly parents, and as they age and eventually need care themselves. My wife and I know this. We know scores of our friends in the same situation. Honoring the aged is one of the best things we must do as we advance the gospel in our generation.
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