1 Timothy 5:11-16

1 Timothy 5:11-16 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list.  For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.  Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.  Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house.  And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.  So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.  Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.  If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

As Paul continues his instructions for the care of widows, he observes that the younger widows should remarry and raise families to avoid the snares of idleness such as gossiping or being busybodies.  Paul seems to hold a generally negative view of people who do not work.  We can see this is other letters he writes such as his words to the church at Thessalonica and his insistence upon making his own way.  And he expects everyone to work, including the widows.  We often hear of the Protestant work ethic, and Paul obviously had a large part in establishing it in the hearts of believers.  He writes, Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.  Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  (1 Thessalonians 5:12-14)  Again he says, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.  We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”  (2 Thessalonians 3:6-10)

Paul seems to be saying even though we are a loving body of believers who support, encourage, and help each other, if you are able bodied and young enough to take care of yourself, it is your responsibility to do so.  There is no free lunch.  He also infers the truth of the old adage: idle hands are indeed the devil's workshop.  A look at our society, with aimless gangs roaming the streets with nothing but trouble on their minds, tends to confirm Paul's view of man's heart.  When Cliff was teaching, he found that the kids who participated in sports or music or after school events such as chess club or 4-H or Boy Scouts were the best students.  They were more busy, but they got the best grades because they were more focused and more task oriented and organized.  I think that is also true in the spiritual arena.  When we accomplish goals, we feel good about ourselves.  When we work hard and have something to offer God and others, we are thankful to him and we rejoice in serving him.  Idleness brings discontentment, lethargy, and a lack of desire to seek something better.  When sin enters our lives, we stop functioning properly and working for the Lord.  It becomes easier and easier to let someone else do the work, to let someone else meet the needs of those who do require assistance.

  

Paul is talking about widows in today's passage, but in other places, he makes it clear that only those who are truly in need should ask for help.  The rest of us should serve gladly and live according to Christ's teachings.  We should help the weak and give to the poor, but we should set a good example and not be a burden when we are capable of working.  If repentance is needed, then we need to repent.  If we need a fresh vision, then we should get into the Word and spend time with the Lord, worshipping and praising him.  We must work as long as it is day, for the night is coming when no man or woman can work.

(Contributed by Mom while Dad is away at a family reunion.)