Respect Your Elders!

1 Timothy 5:1-8

5 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Since there was no welfare system in Paul's day, the most vulnerable people were widows.  Paul gives several instructions to determine which widows had the strongest need for help. Before this instruction, Paul gives some guidelines for Timothy as to how to treat the older people in the church.  Since Timothy was young it was important for him to use his authority wisely, especially as it related to the older men and women in the church.  Though he might need to confront an older man, he should not do it harshly but speaking the truth in love.  As to the older women he should treat them as mothers and allow them to care for him as well.  As a pastor in the church for many years, I have seen the beauty of older people in the church caring for their pastor and many others in the church.  They are a great asset in any church and often have built the church with their own sweat and tears.  They deserve respect.  They have earned it.

What I find interesting about the issue of widows is that Paul's assumption is that if they have existing kids or grandkids, they should take care of them.  He feels so strongly about this that he says if a child or grandchild doesn't take of their parents they have denied the faith and are worse than a believer.  So yes he thinks it is very important.  On a positive note when a believer cares for their parent or grandparent it is way they put their faith into action.  

Think of it.  If everyone took care of their parents how much better off would we be as a society.  Without our parents we wouldn't be here.  How often do you take time to take care of your parents, or tell them how grateful you are for them.  None of our parents are perfect, but then we aren't either.  If your parents passed on the faith to you, even more reason to be thankful.  Honor your parents and care for the widows in your congregation, especially the ones who have no family to rely on.  You will not only honor God but give a great witness about how a Christian lives our their faith.