1 Timothy 5:9–16 “The Church’s Ministry of Relief”

1 Timothy 5:9-16 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Elevation Worship – The Blessing ft. Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes
• Keith & Kristyn Getty – O Church Arise (Arise, Shine) ft. Chris Tomlin
• Here I Am, Lord – Dan Schutte

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) – Lesson for Kids
• I Might Be Small | Preschool Worship Song – Song for Kids
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Let’s Get A Little Crazy | Kingdom Rock VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The phrase “a widow who is to be put on the list” (v. 9) refers to women whom the church would financially support. For widowed women to be placed on the list as “true widows,” they had to meet three conditions. First, they had to be over sixty years old. Considering the average lifespan at the time, there would not have been many women of that age, and they likely had no means of financial support. Second, they had to have been “the wife of one husband”—in other words, faithful in their past marriage. Third, they had to be “well known for their good deeds” (v. 10). The Apostle lists examples of such good deeds: raising children well, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints (receiving them into their home), helping those in trouble, and devoting themselves to all kinds of good works.

The Apostle instructs that “younger widows” (v. 11) should not be placed on the list. Since he says, “they bring judgment on themselves because they have broken their first pledge” (v. 12), it seems that being listed as a widow supported by the church required a pledge to remain single in Christ. Wanting to remarry is not wrong in itself. However, breaking a pledge of celibacy would be considered a sin. Among such people, some also showed improper conduct (v. 12).

Therefore, the Apostle advises younger widows to remarry, have children, and manage their households (v. 14). This is far better than making a vow of celibacy and later breaking it under the influence of desire. Of those who broke their pledge and fell away from faith, the Apostle says they “have turned away to follow Satan” (v. 15).

Earlier, the Apostle had instructed that if widows had children, the church should not be burdened with their care, but rather their children should support them (v. 4). Likewise, whenever possible, church members should support fellow believers in need. The phrase, “if any woman who is a believer has widows in her care” (v. 16), indicates that some female believers took elderly widows into their households to care for them. The Apostle urges these women not to place financial burdens on the church if they are able to help. In this way, the church would be able to provide for more “true widows.”

Meditation:

The church is not simply a gathering for worship. The church is a community of destiny, united as one body with Christ as the head. If a family is a community bound by blood, the church is a community bound by faith. The Apostle said that anyone who does not provide for their relatives, especially their own household, “has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (v. 8). The same principle applies to the spiritual family of the church. If a brother or sister in faith is hungry, those who confess to the same Lord cannot ignore their need. For this reason, care and relief are among the important missions of the church. The Lord’s command, “There should be no poor among you,” must first be lived out within the church.

Material resources always come with trials. As recorded in Acts 6, relief work is good, but it often brings complaints and conflicts. No matter how fairly it is administered, accusations of favoritism are inevitable. The church’s financial resources are limited, and poverty will always be present in some form. Therefore, the Apostle urged believers to do their best to personally care for the difficulties of fellow members. When the church’s relief efforts are limited to those who truly need them, conflicts are reduced, and more people can be helped.

There is a saying: “Even the nation cannot solve the problem of poverty.” Some remain in poverty due to circumstances beyond their control or personal challenges. But that does not mean we can say, “That is your fate,” and turn away. If someone is starving, they must be given food; if someone is without clothing, they must be given something to wear. The church must stand at the very forefront of caring for those in need.

Prayer:

Lord, when You were on this earth, You sought out the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and became their friend. Give us Your heart. Help each of us, and all of us together, to look after and care for our neighbors with the heart of Christ. Remind us that the resources entrusted to us were not given only for ourselves. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: The church is not just a place for worship—it is a family bound together by faith in Christ. Just as Jesus cared for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, we are called to share our resources and care for one another. What we have is not only for ourselves but to be used to love and serve others.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Jesus cared for the poor, sick, and lonely people. Who can you be kind to this week?
  • Why do you think God wants us to share what we have with others?
  • If you saw a friend without lunch, what could you do to help them?
    
• Youth
  • Why do you think the Bible says someone who doesn’t take care of their family is “worse than an unbeliever”? (1 Tim. 5:8)
  • What are some ways our church family can make sure no one is left out or in need?
  • How can you personally live out generosity in a world that often teaches us to keep things for ourselves?