1Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
In a literal sense, this has not been an issue in my lifetime. However, if we expand this to include extended family, and change "provide for" ever so slightly to include checking in on, writing letters to, calling, acknowledging birthdays and other events, I am an abysmal failure. I would never allow a family member to suffer if I knew there was some way I could help. But I could be much more active in showing my love for my extended family.
Holy Lord, you know my heart. Help me to make it a priority to share the love I have for my extended family. I am not too busy to do that. You have shown me so much love. I am grateful. Amen
Becky, transforming
1 Timothy 5:8
This passage makes me think of my grandparents as they came to this country from Canada and England. Upon arrival, they stayed with family until they found jobs and apartments. Generational living was very normal then. As a single parent of 8, my grandmother always lived with one or more of her children as they grew older. There was never a question of what to do with Mom—she would live with them.
Prayer: Gracious God, I thank you for the example my family has given me—love and care for each other. Amen
Monday October 23rd, 2023
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
It means just what it says you should provide for your family and even your extended family. If a family member is struggling you should help them in their time of need. Sometimes I wonder how people can be homeless with nowhere to go. No family who even cares they’re on the street. It’s one thing to be on drugs and homeless it’s another to just be struggling and homeless. I mean I see kids with families homeless and no one takes them in just so…
1Timothy 5:8 The staggering number of children growing up without the influence of a loving earthly father has had its predictable consequences on our culture and society. Sadly, even the claim this makes them worse than unbelievers has no power in the current environment. We must, as followers of Jesus, strongly encourage the young men in our sphere of influence to remain responsible, seek intimacy in marriage and to stay involved in the lives of and provide for their children.
Prayer - Merciful God, forgive us for drifting as a culture into having throwaway relationships that have produced throwaway children. We pray for the young ones left rootless by absent and irresponsible fathers and for the mothers are left with…