9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Paul goes into greater detail on the requirements for looking after widows within the church. A widow could be fully supported by the church if she was not less than sixty years old and had been a faithful wife to her husband. She should have a reputation for good works, have brought up her children well and shown hospitality and cared for others. The idea seems to be that those women who have lived godly lives and now find themselves with no one to care for them should be cared for by the church.
If a woman is still young, then the church should not be quick to support her. Being young she could find another husband or continue to support herself. If she were supported by the church then she would have much idle time and be tempted to engage in wrong relationships and become a gossip. Better that she use her time being constructive so as to avoid the temptations of Satan. Paul reminds us that families should care for their relatives who are widows so that the church is free to support those who really need support.
Work is good. For those who find themselves unable to support themselves, the church should be their refuge. For those who are still able to be productive in earning or managing a household or raising a family, they should be doing those things. The devil will lead idle hands astray. How often do you find yourself idle? What productive, godly things could you be doing that would help keep you from temptation?
This encouraged me to be a good woman, sister and daughter and follow other woman who I see living for God