Timothy Charge 9

Paul's Ninth Charge to Timothy This is a charge dealing with older men and women properly, in particular, elderly widows with no support. There is great church family application here as well as home family particulars. I Timothy 5:1-16
In verses 1-3, we see the list of what constitutes a family, both a home family and a church family.

CHURCH FAMILY	HOME FAMILY
Elder	Father
Younger Men	Brothers
Elder Women	Mother
Younger Women	Sisters
Widows	Widows

We can most assuredly take note that a church family and a home family have very much in common. The sad thing today is that because the home families are in such turmoil and destruction, so follows close behind the church family.

As the old generational family style is being replaced by the new generational family style, the old church family style is being replaced by the new church family style.

Each individual role has been destroyed in the home family - each church family member seems to be on their own as well.

The authority in the home family has been destroyed today - the authority in the church family has also been destroyed.

The responsibilities in the home family have been destroyed today - the responsibilities in the church have equally been destroyed.

The strength of the home family has been altered, abused or even destroyed - the strength of the church family has also been either altered, abused or even destroyed.

The success of the home family has been redefined - the success of the church family has been redefined.

The purity of the home family has been polluted - the purity of the church family has been equally polluted.

The happiness and joy of the home family has left - everyone is just too busy 'surviving'. And in the church family? Every body is just surviving and the church family happiness and joy seems to be disappearing as well.

Everybody seems to be on their own in todays home family - and within the church family, each to their own, as well. "...every man does that which is right in their own eyes." Judges 21:25

Praise the Lord, however; there are a few home families that have stayed with the old paths in spite of the new style family members that have been educated by the world - and there a few church families that have stayed with the old paths in spite of the new style family members that have also been educated by the religious world.

There are, in fact, some home families that are seeking to return to the old paths - as there are some church families that are seeking to return to the old paths - and both families are finding out that they are enjoying the rest to their family and to their souls as is promised in Jeremiah 6:16a. Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls...

Unfortunately, there are more and more families, both home and church, that claim the last part of that verse instead - But they said, We will not walk therein.

As is I Timothy 3, these are standards to aim for. Because a pastor 'blows' one of those qualifications, he doesn't get depulpited (although in some places where they do kill their 'holy' preacher) it should be the same with our families - let's look at these as a standard to aim for - a goal, as such, and not 'kill' anyone who doesn't quite measure up. Heb 13:9b ... For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
II Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

Praise the Lord that His grace has done it all for us (A Great Work of God - ME!) - Instead of just thinking about ourselves like an only child, we can shoot for some higher standards for our home family as well as our church family, amen? After all, just like within a joyful home family, we have some great rewards awaiting us at the Judgment Seat of Christ - IF...!!!

OK - here goes: So, in verses 1 & 2, we have here the scriptural reason that folks call themselves brother and sister in church. But then again, I never did call my brothers 'brother Dennis' or 'brother Gary' when I was at home. So, guess folks can do whatever they want in that department.

There is a role of authority here, however, and none of the kids / children should be allowed to go first name basis to an adult - they must realize their position. Not many children call their moms and dads by their first names at home, so in church, seeing that the elders have the ranking, then the same should go there, as well.

Also note a short 'bunny trail' in verse two, reminding us to keep our 'sisters' pure. Nobody messed with sisters - the brothers were usually there to beat up anyone hassling their sister.

In church, the same situation exists - the men of the church are to protect the ladies from any wolves in sheeps clothing, amen? (See how things have changed - today, sisters are starting to protect the brothers - ladies are doing more for the Lord's work then the men - Give not thy strength unto women... Proverbs 31:3.

In fact, the older folks are not even 'brothers' and 'sisters' to the young ones, amen - they are more like mothers and fathers. Do you see that often hidden usage? We are all sons of God, and in that vein, God is our father and we are all sons - brothers. But within the local assembly, it could also be applied as the elders - the older men. Seeing a young boy or girl show respect to an older person is a blessing - especially when they mean it - not 'just have to'!

verse 3 reminds us to honour widows and the verses below will guide us through this responsibility.

verse 4 - Note here that the kids first are to take care of their mom when dad passes away. The responsibility even goes to the nephews, as well. Requite means that mom took care of you when you couldn't take care of yourself and now you need to take care of mom if she can't take care of herself.

verse 5 - A widow indeed is one that is truly a widow according to Biblical standards. She is a saved widow who is desolate and needs care so that she can CONTINUETH(means she has already been doing these things, ladies!) in supplications and prayers night and day.

verse 6 - Here we have a party momma - that is her own choosing. She can live her own standards away from the Book, if she so chooses. If so, she is not our responsibility.

verse 7 - I am doing that right now - we all need to know this widow situation - are we prepared for our own family and are we prepared as a church family.

verse 8 - If we are caught off guard - not prepared - or so choose to ignore our mothers when they are desolate, than we are worse than an unsaved person - at least the lost take better care of their parents than many saved folks.

Do remember, though, before you throw guilt at yourself or at others - there are some requirements here for a mother be able to claim 'widow indeed' status when the time comes.

Let's see those qualifications for a widow indeed:
verse 9, 10
She is to be at least 60 years or older!
She is to have been faithful to her husband!
She is to have a good reputation regarding 'good' works!
She is to have brought up children (hers or others, etc.)!
She is to have shown hospitality to strangers!
She is to have washed the saints feet!
She is to have been a comfort to others in their afflictions!
She is to have been faithful in various good works!

Note in verses 11-15 deal with younger women all of a sudden. Ladies with the children grown up or still even growing up, you can learn now what your goals should be as a Godly aging woman. They are right there in verses 9,10.

There is a warning in verses 11-13 about women who will wax wanton against Christ and remarry and throw it all away - they will be willing to get out of the Book, out of the church and out of God's good graces, amen? You will learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. and won't let any preacher tell them otherwise, let alone their husband if they do ever find one dumb enough to marry her!

(damnation here is not referring to salvation! "How do you know that?" you ask. Because Romans says so! So the application must be here in a physically daily basis of life rightness and wrongness.

But now, for the younger ladies, to stay out of the devils way,
here are some specifics: verse 14

Get Married
Bear Children
Guide the house
Don't give the Devil occasion to speak reprachfully!

Unfortunately, according to verse 15, some have already gone after Satan!
(Feminism, career women, house rulers physically OR emotionally,
regardless of whether or not your husband 'lets' you or not -
your judgment seat will be based on that part of the Bible written TO you, not to your husband,
no matter how good you are at it!)

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