1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,160 1 Timothy chapter 5 tonight. 2 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:15,280 We've talked the last couple of weeks about being on guard. 3 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:21,160 There are all kind of demonic influences and evil teachings and we have to be on guard. 4 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,560 We have to know the truth of God's Word. 5 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:26,080 We have to have a knowledge of who God is. 6 00:00:26,080 --> 00:00:28,520 We have to train ourself up in godliness. 7 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:34,280 We have to be committed to God's Word and that's what we talked about in 1 Timothy chapter 8 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:35,280 4. 9 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,080 Tonight we will start 1 Timothy chapter 5. 10 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:43,200 Lord willing we'll get through verse 16, kind of a big section. 11 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,800 We'll read the book of the chapter tonight. 12 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:52,720 And the book of this chapter has to do with support for widows and how the church should 13 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:57,200 support widows and what some of those qualifications may be. 14 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,320 I wouldn't say this passage is a difficult passage necessarily. 15 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:07,200 However it's not super clear as to maybe what some of these things mean. 16 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:12,000 But nonetheless I think we can see the point of what Paul is saying even if we don't have 17 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,440 all the details we would like to know exactly what's going on. 18 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:18,800 There's certainly some difference of opinion on here. 19 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:21,760 I'll teach it as best as I understand it. 20 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:24,800 But you may have a different opinion and that's okay. 21 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,360 But we'll pray and then we'll get started. 22 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,040 Father God we come to you. 23 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:31,040 We thank you for your good word. 24 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,880 And I pray that your Holy Spirit would be with us tonight, that you'd be with me, that 25 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:38,920 I preach and teach in a way that brings glory and honor to you. 26 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,000 I pray these words would be good instruction for us tonight. 27 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,200 They are good instruction God if we would listen. 28 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,120 Dear Lord we want to be those who hear this same message that was given to the people 29 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,320 of Ephesus that we would learn in these same ways. 30 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,880 That we would ourselves grow in you and be an example to others. 31 00:01:55,880 --> 00:02:00,320 So I pray God that your Holy Spirit would be with us and let everything tonight be for 32 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:01,320 your glory. 33 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,240 In Jesus name I pray it. 34 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:04,240 Amen. 35 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:10,200 Now before we begin to talk about the issue of the widows here there's a couple of verses 36 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:14,480 here at the beginning that deal with a couple of other things. 37 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:16,520 Verse one. 38 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:21,320 Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as a father. 39 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:28,440 Younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and with all propriety the young women as 40 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:29,720 sisters. 41 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:35,560 Now I think this is these two verses are simply telling us to treat people with respect and 42 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:36,560 it gives some examples. 43 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:41,040 And it says here you know do not rebuke an older man but what does it say? 44 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,040 But exhort him as a father. 45 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:48,760 Younger man as brothers, older women as your mother, young women treat them properly. 46 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:49,760 Okay? 47 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:54,960 This is good advice for us whether we are a man or a woman especially good advice for 48 00:02:54,960 --> 00:03:01,160 young people that we are respectful to older men and older women and people who are our 49 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,800 age that we treat them like we would treat our brother. 50 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:08,560 We treat them like we treat our sister especially so for young men when they are with young 51 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:11,060 women that they treat them properly. 52 00:03:11,060 --> 00:03:14,360 This is good basic simple instruction. 53 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,280 However I maybe this instruction is not so good for this day and age. 54 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,720 He says treat people like you treat your parents. 55 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:23,440 Well some people don't treat their parents very good. 56 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:28,340 And so perhaps before people can learn to treat others with respect especially with 57 00:03:28,340 --> 00:03:31,960 younger people this day and age they need to learn how to treat their own parents with 58 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:32,960 respect. 59 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,800 They need to learn how to treat their father and mother with respect and to honor their 60 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:37,800 father and mother. 61 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:42,800 And so perhaps there has to be a whole other step that has to come along before you can 62 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:47,560 say treat other people like your parents because many times today you see children that are 63 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,120 very disrespectful to their parents or grandparents. 64 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:53,200 So that's a lesson that we want to learn. 65 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:57,040 We want to learn that hopefully while we are young and if we haven't learned it up to this 66 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,640 point we need to we need to learn that. 67 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:04,360 If we need to learn how to honor our parents and we need to learn how to treat those who 68 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:10,200 are older than us with respect and with honor and those who are our our same age we need 69 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:11,880 to treat them as brothers and sisters. 70 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,360 So it's good basic simple advice. 71 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:18,040 It's good for all of us and easy for us to understand. 72 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:22,720 Verse three support widows who are genuinely widows. 73 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:28,480 Now we'll kind of unpack what he's talking about here as we get into this this particular 74 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:29,560 topic. 75 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:33,840 Now what appears to be going on here this is the best I can understand it. 76 00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:38,320 This this this may not be the correct interpretation but you can study it some more if you'd like 77 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:39,320 to. 78 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:45,280 So what I believe is going on in this passage is he's talking about there are certain widows 79 00:04:45,280 --> 00:04:50,920 that that qualify for some support from the church and he's going to give some of those 80 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:57,800 qualifications as he goes on as to who qualifies for support and who doesn't qualify for support. 81 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:03,320 And so when he says here those who are genuinely widows what he's saying is those who meet 82 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:08,920 the qualifications that are about to be given as we read through these next few verses. 83 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:09,920 All right. 84 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:16,200 Verse four but if any widow has children or grandchildren they must learn to practice 85 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:22,160 practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents for this 86 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:23,160 pleases God. 87 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:24,160 OK. 88 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:29,160 So it's good for us as brothers and sisters in Christ that make up a church that make 89 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,000 up a body of Christ. 90 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:32,720 It's good for us to help the widows. 91 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:37,000 We see that repeatedly through the scriptures through the Old Testament through the New 92 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:38,060 Testament. 93 00:05:38,060 --> 00:05:41,960 It's pretty clear that God wants people to help the widows. 94 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,000 There's there's no there's no issue there. 95 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:46,800 That's a good thing for the church to do. 96 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:54,920 However what Paul says here is that it's the responsibility of the children and the grandchildren 97 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,680 first to take care of those who are widowed. 98 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:02,900 So when he's talking about those who are genuinely widowed I believe what he's talking about 99 00:06:02,900 --> 00:06:05,320 are those who really do have nobody else. 100 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:06,960 Now you might can think of somebody. 101 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:11,760 You probably can think of a widow that really has nobody else to take care of them. 102 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:18,720 Now that responsibility falls first and foremost to the kids and to the grandkids. 103 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,360 Now that's important for us to know those of us. 104 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:25,560 Maybe we have a grandparent a grandmother who is widowed or a mother who is widowed 105 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:31,040 is very important for those of us who are children or grandchildren to realize that 106 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:37,960 it's our responsibility based on the word of God to take care of those who are widowed. 107 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:42,400 Now there are certainly some widows that we know and while their parents I mean their 108 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:46,520 children and grandchildren should take care of them they do not. 109 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:51,640 So shame on those children and grandchildren that do not take care of their of their widows 110 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:56,280 and in that case they would certainly fall into the category of those who need help. 111 00:06:56,280 --> 00:06:59,720 We wouldn't say well it's up to your kids they should be taking care of you so we're 112 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:00,720 not going to help. 113 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:02,200 I don't think that's what Paul is saying here. 114 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:06,280 I think that that's not what scripture would teach us or the heart of scripture would want 115 00:07:06,280 --> 00:07:07,720 us to have. 116 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:13,040 It certainly is the responsibility of children and grandchildren but sometimes children and 117 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:17,760 grandchildren fail in that responsibility but nonetheless the responsibility is pointed 118 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:22,480 out and we need to take this responsibility serious. 119 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:28,000 It says they must learn to practice godliness toward their own parents first and repay their 120 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,800 parents for this pleases God. 121 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:32,680 Now we need to think about this. 122 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:37,880 Now you may see sometimes maybe you know children like this or maybe you've seen children like 123 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:43,600 this and and the parents begin to get older and they begin to slow down and they need 124 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:45,000 a lot of help. 125 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:48,340 That's just the way it is as we get older we need a little help. 126 00:07:48,340 --> 00:07:50,320 We need help doing stuff around the house. 127 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,380 We need help getting to the doctor. 128 00:07:52,380 --> 00:07:56,600 We sometimes are sick and need somebody to be there with us and it's a lot of work and 129 00:07:56,600 --> 00:08:01,680 it's a big responsibility and sometimes it takes some of our time and sometimes we're 130 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:06,360 tired and may not feel like it but that responsibility is there and sometimes it takes some of our 131 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,120 money. 132 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:14,360 And so Paul says here look this is good for the children and the grandchildren to take 133 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:21,320 care of the widow and I believe also to a man or woman as far as that goes but we have 134 00:08:21,320 --> 00:08:26,000 to remember that there was a time in our life that we were nothing but a wee little tiny 135 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:32,760 baby and our parents took care of us and it was not easy on them. 136 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:34,080 They had to work long hours. 137 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,280 They had to sacrifice things they wanted. 138 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:38,400 They had to take care of us when we were tired. 139 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:43,600 They had to sacrifice their money and the things that they wanted to do and so we need 140 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:49,000 to remember that when we begin to get older and our parents begin to get older especially 141 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:54,020 those who are widows that yeah it might it might take a little work on our part but we're 142 00:08:54,020 --> 00:08:58,720 simply as Paul would say here we're repaying them for what they've done. 143 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:03,720 They took care of us when we were unable to take care of ourselves and the cycle of life 144 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:09,440 should be that we would take care of our parents when they are no longer to take care of themselves 145 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:14,440 and that's the way that things should be and this is a godly way for us to live our life 146 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:17,680 and this is what Paul would call us to. 147 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:25,400 Verse 5, the real widow left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and 148 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:29,760 day in her petitions and prayers. 149 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:36,080 So it seems as though as we continue to read this passage that Paul is making this distinction 150 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:42,680 between real widows or genuine widows and those that are not real or not genuine. 151 00:09:42,680 --> 00:09:46,120 Now that's not to say that they have not lost their husband. 152 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:50,560 There are certainly some who have lost their husband but what I believe Paul is doing here 153 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:52,680 is making a distinction. 154 00:09:52,680 --> 00:09:58,980 He's saying that some who are widows have essentially committed themselves to God. 155 00:09:58,980 --> 00:10:02,600 They're not seeking another husband. 156 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:03,800 They're trying to get by. 157 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:08,400 They don't have help from their family and they need the help of the church. 158 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:12,960 They need the help of brothers and sisters in Christ and these are those who are completely 159 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:16,560 dependent on the church because they're not going to get another husband. 160 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:20,800 So they're completely dependent on God and they're seeking God and they're trusting 161 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:27,100 God to provide for them and God does so oftentimes through you and I, through brothers and sisters 162 00:10:27,100 --> 00:10:28,800 in Christ, through the church. 163 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:33,440 So this is the distinction I believe he's making when he talks about real widows and 164 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:40,760 genuine widows is those who have become dependent on God, of those who have said, all right, 165 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:47,000 I'm giving myself to God in service to God and maybe even in service to the community 166 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:49,400 of believers here possibly. 167 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:53,080 That's a possibility and so that's what he's talking about when he says real widows. 168 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:57,760 Now there are certainly other widows that he is soon to address that are real widows 169 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:03,400 nonetheless but maybe they have not committed themselves to God in the same way as these 170 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,040 that he would consider genuine or real. 171 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:14,800 Verse six, however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 172 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:19,080 Command this also so they won't be blamed. 173 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:24,160 So it appears as though, and we'll see more of this as we continue to read the passage, 174 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:29,080 that there are some who are widowed and in need and they're seeking and trusting in the 175 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:35,840 Lord but yet there are others who are widowed and they are self-indulgent or they're taking 176 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:40,520 what they get and they're kind of using the church but they're also looking for another 177 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:41,520 man. 178 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:43,320 It's not that their husband isn't legitimately dead. 179 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:48,440 They may legitimately be a widow but they're not dependent on the church but maybe they're 180 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,740 taking what the church is giving them nonetheless. 181 00:11:51,740 --> 00:11:53,320 And so what does he say here? 182 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:56,160 He says command this so they won't be blamed. 183 00:11:56,160 --> 00:12:01,840 Now maybe he's saying so that the church who is helping widows won't be blamed for not 184 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:06,720 doing right one way or another by giving to somebody who's undeserving or by not giving 185 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:08,640 to someone who is deserving. 186 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:12,920 Or maybe when he talks about so that they won't be blamed, maybe he's talking about 187 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:14,920 these widows who aren't doing right. 188 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,320 Maybe they should be doing one thing and they're not doing it. 189 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:22,680 And so this instruction that he's giving to Timothy, this command is so that they'll realize 190 00:12:22,680 --> 00:12:26,000 what's right from wrong so that they will do the right thing. 191 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,000 All right. 192 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:32,560 Verse eight, but if anyone does not provide for his own, excuse me, but if anyone does 193 00:12:32,560 --> 00:12:39,560 not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than 194 00:12:39,560 --> 00:12:40,560 an unbeliever. 195 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:44,520 Now that is a strong passage. 196 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:50,880 When Paul says here that it is our responsibility to take care of the widows, that is those 197 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:57,720 who are children and grandchildren, it's our responsibility first, he says, if you don't 198 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:03,800 take care of your own household, you are worse than an unbeliever. 199 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:08,400 Now maybe what he's saying there is even the ungodly know how to take care of their widows. 200 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,800 That could be what he's saying here. 201 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:14,220 Perhaps he's saying these people may not even be Christians. 202 00:13:14,220 --> 00:13:17,680 If their attitude is such that they're not even willing to take care of their mother 203 00:13:17,680 --> 00:13:22,680 or their grandmother, then maybe they're not really believers at all. 204 00:13:22,680 --> 00:13:24,640 This is really strong language. 205 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:31,280 If anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith, 206 00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:32,280 denied the faith. 207 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:33,760 Now this is serious. 208 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:38,360 This is not just all so and so's a bad son or a bad daughter because they didn't take 209 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:39,360 care of their mother. 210 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:41,160 Paul uses strong language here. 211 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:47,000 He says that such a person who professes to be a Christian and yet denies to take care 212 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:53,400 of their family is denied the faith and they are worse than an unbeliever. 213 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,000 Now that's pretty strong language. 214 00:13:55,000 --> 00:14:00,920 Now in the context here, certainly talking about those who are taking care of widows, 215 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:06,480 however, it might not be out of context to apply this passage really to anyone who's 216 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:12,100 taking care of their family, to any man who's supposed to be taking care of his family. 217 00:14:12,100 --> 00:14:16,160 It might not be out of bounds to say that this passage would be applicable in those 218 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:17,160 situations. 219 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:21,720 That if you're not willing to take care of your family and to take care of your household, 220 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:24,000 then you're not doing a good job, man. 221 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:30,400 If you profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ and you're not taking care of your household, 222 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,400 then you have failed. 223 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:37,680 Paul says here, you denied the faith and you're worse than an unbeliever. 224 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:42,580 Now that stings right there and maybe it should sting. 225 00:14:42,580 --> 00:14:47,160 Maybe if we hear that passage and it stings, that might be a good thing. 226 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:49,080 I think that's what Paul would want. 227 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:52,840 That's what God would want for us to hear God's word, even that part that stings, that 228 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:56,480 wakes us up so that we do what's right. 229 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:03,680 Verse nine, no widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 230 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:09,840 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, and we'll stop there in mid sentence. 231 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,640 Okay, so here we have a little more context. 232 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:13,640 What is he talking about here? 233 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:19,240 He's talking about some type of support list and your translations may use different words 234 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:20,240 there. 235 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:25,880 But it appears as though he's saying, okay, the church has some type of official list, 236 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:32,440 which appears to be widows who are going to receive some continual support from the church. 237 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:37,560 That is, those who are genuine, those who are not seeking remarriage, those who are 238 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:42,640 seeking the Lord and trusting the Lord, those who have no other means of support, who aren't 239 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,960 going to make it otherwise, those are the ones who qualify for the list. 240 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:49,080 Those are the ones who are on the list. 241 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:53,680 Now, that's not to say that maybe there aren't occasions where you would help people that 242 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:55,320 don't meet these qualifications. 243 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:57,920 I think we need to think about that. 244 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:02,560 He's fixing to give us a list of qualifications and we may look at this list and say, well, 245 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:08,160 golly, this widow, she's out there and she needs help, but she don't meet these qualifications, 246 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,160 so maybe we shouldn't help them. 247 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:14,600 Well, I think what he's talking about here is a list of widows probably that are receiving 248 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:16,480 continual support. 249 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:21,120 There are certainly needs that are going to arise and we certainly want to help the poor 250 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:22,120 and the needy. 251 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:27,020 And sometimes the poor and the needy are poor and needy and widows all at the same time. 252 00:16:27,020 --> 00:16:31,380 And so that's not to say I don't believe that there might not be occasions where there's 253 00:16:31,380 --> 00:16:36,320 a widow that maybe doesn't meet the qualification in particular that I'm thinking of here of 254 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,200 being 60 years old. 255 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,640 Maybe you know a widow that's 40 years old and you say, I can't help her, she's 40. 256 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:46,000 Well, there may be occasion that we need to do such things. 257 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:50,840 And so he says, look, there's a list and there's some qualifications for that list. 258 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:56,560 And one of the qualifications is that they have to be at least 60 years old. 259 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:58,560 Now, what is the reason for this? 260 00:16:58,560 --> 00:17:01,560 Well, it might just be a very simple reason. 261 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:07,520 And that is a woman who is under 60 years old is still young enough that she may can 262 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:10,120 get remarried should she choose to. 263 00:17:10,120 --> 00:17:15,240 Women who are over 60 years old, 70 years old, 80 years old, it's unlikely that they're 264 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:16,620 going to get remarried. 265 00:17:16,620 --> 00:17:21,120 They're not going to be very attractive, maybe physically or maybe just in the sense that, 266 00:17:21,120 --> 00:17:23,620 well, they can't bear anybody, any children. 267 00:17:23,620 --> 00:17:28,520 So if a man's looking for a wife to bear children or to raise children or raise a household, 268 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:32,160 if they're at a certain age, they simply may not be able to do so. 269 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,960 And so it may just be a very practical thing. 270 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:39,240 If they're over 60, then there's probably a greater chance that they're going to need 271 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:42,920 more support because there's not going to be a man in their life. 272 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:47,560 If they're under 60, if they're 30 or 40 years old, and heaven forbid something happens to 273 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:51,320 their husband, well, chances are they're probably going to be remarried. 274 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:55,260 They're still young, they still got good health, they still can have children. 275 00:17:55,260 --> 00:18:00,320 And so a younger woman might not be in such a predicament as an older woman. 276 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:03,320 And so they might choose to seek another husband. 277 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,720 And in that case, then the church shouldn't be supporting them because they're going to 278 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:11,280 be able to work and kind of take care of a little bit and find a husband ultimately to 279 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:12,280 take care of them. 280 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:16,200 It's not to say that maybe the church doesn't help in some way, but they're not to be put 281 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:21,400 on this list that Paul's talking about, is those who really need the support of the church. 282 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:27,560 So first qualification needs to be at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband. 283 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:33,060 Now we're familiar with this phrase because we saw this when we saw the qualifications 284 00:18:33,060 --> 00:18:38,560 for a pastor or an elder and it said to be the husband of one wife. 285 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:42,680 Now we talked in great detail about what that statement could mean. 286 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:44,680 Some have said can't be divorced. 287 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:46,960 However, that's not what it says. 288 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:48,680 Maybe that's what it meant. 289 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,960 Regardless, we see that it's the same statement here, same idea. 290 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:57,200 So whatever Paul meant earlier when he said that about elders, he probably means the same 291 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:03,960 thing here in this passage when he says that they must be the wife of one husband. 292 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:05,120 Okay. 293 00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:06,520 So what does that mean? 294 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:11,120 Well, what if somebody was divorced and now they're a widow or what if they were married 295 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:15,760 before and everything was perfect in their marriage and their husband died and they remarried 296 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:16,760 a second time? 297 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:20,400 Does that mean that they are disqualified from receiving any help? 298 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:24,360 Well, that doesn't really seem like it would fit too good. 299 00:19:24,360 --> 00:19:28,960 I mean, if somebody's 20 years old, they just got married and they lose their husband and 300 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:33,680 they remarried, is Paul saying that they're penalized and the church should not help such 301 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:34,680 women? 302 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:39,160 I don't think Paul is saying that because what he's fisting to say in a few verses is 303 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:42,480 he's about to encourage young women to marry. 304 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,040 So I don't think that that's what Paul means here. 305 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:51,000 I think probably what Paul means is that he's speaking of one who has been faithful in their 306 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:52,000 marriage. 307 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:56,280 Maybe when it says the wife of one husband, that is to say she's not been with a bunch 308 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:57,280 of men. 309 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:00,920 That is to say she don't have but one husband and three or four boyfriends. 310 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:05,960 I think what he's saying is that a woman who has been faithful, a woman whose character 311 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:11,000 is good, a woman who is godly, a woman who doesn't sleep around with a lot of men, but 312 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:15,120 a woman who has been faithful in her marriage. 313 00:20:15,120 --> 00:20:17,480 And we see these qualities that he's fisting to list. 314 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:22,480 So he says 60 years old, he says the wife of one husband, and then he goes on to list 315 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:24,760 a bunch of other good qualities. 316 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:28,720 Verse 10, and is well known for good works. 317 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:34,360 Okay, so as we begin to look at this list, he talks about that it should be evident that 318 00:20:34,360 --> 00:20:39,640 these are godly women, that the church here is focusing on helping Christian women, women 319 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:45,040 who are in the church, helping those who are unable to help themselves when their spouse 320 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:46,040 dies. 321 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:50,520 And so as we see in the scriptures, you know a tree by its fruit. 322 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:51,760 And so what does he say? 323 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:57,080 A woman who has done good works and listen to what these good works are. 324 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:05,320 That is if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints feet, helped 325 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:10,040 the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work. 326 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,520 Okay, so it should be evident. 327 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:17,800 The traits of a godly woman are kind of spelled out for us here, that they've brought up their 328 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:18,800 children. 329 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:20,880 That is brought up their children in a good way. 330 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:24,720 They've raised their children and they've turned out to be good children. 331 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:26,000 They're respectful children. 332 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:28,880 They're children that aren't getting in trouble. 333 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:30,000 What's the next thing? 334 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,840 To show hospitality. 335 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:35,640 This is a good list for women to look at, especially young women. 336 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:39,360 If we're going to be godly women, then how are we to live? 337 00:21:39,360 --> 00:21:41,080 Well, here we have. 338 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:42,160 Raise your children right. 339 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:43,280 Be a good mother. 340 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:44,320 That's important. 341 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:46,060 That should go without saying. 342 00:21:46,060 --> 00:21:47,060 That should come natural. 343 00:21:47,060 --> 00:21:49,680 But sadly in our world today, it doesn't come natural. 344 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,000 There's a lot of mothers that aren't good mothers. 345 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:54,760 And they need a godly woman in their life. 346 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:59,560 They need the word of God in their life to encourage them and say, you need to raise 347 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:02,300 your child in a godly way. 348 00:22:02,300 --> 00:22:04,040 You need to tell them the word of God. 349 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:06,400 You need to teach them right from wrong. 350 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,360 You need to get on to them when they do wrong. 351 00:22:08,360 --> 00:22:10,360 You need to encourage them when they're down. 352 00:22:10,360 --> 00:22:11,640 You need to be there for them. 353 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:13,000 You need to provide for them. 354 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,120 You need to let them know that you love them. 355 00:22:15,120 --> 00:22:16,120 This is important. 356 00:22:16,120 --> 00:22:18,840 Motherhood is important. 357 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:20,720 And that's what Paul is saying here. 358 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:23,880 A woman needs to be known for her good works. 359 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:26,440 And one of those things is how she raises her children. 360 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:27,440 Show hospitality. 361 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:28,440 Okay. 362 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:30,920 You want to be hospitable to people. 363 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:32,400 That's pretty self-explanatory. 364 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:34,120 You want to be kind to people. 365 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:38,680 You see somebody that needs water, you give them some water, whatever it may be. 366 00:22:38,680 --> 00:22:44,400 I mean, you may see little things and little ways that you can help and you can be hospitable. 367 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:45,920 Wash the saints feet. 368 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:48,120 Now, we can take that literally. 369 00:22:48,120 --> 00:22:51,720 There's certainly nothing wrong with washing the saints feet, but I think we can look at 370 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:53,960 that in a broader picture. 371 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:56,160 That is be a servant to people. 372 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:57,360 Serve those who need help. 373 00:22:57,360 --> 00:23:01,840 Now, maybe you've never washed somebody's feet before, but there are certainly opportunities 374 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:03,240 that we have to serve people. 375 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:05,840 And sometimes they're kind of dirty opportunities. 376 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:09,920 They're things that we don't really want to do, but we do them because we love people. 377 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:13,880 And this is the kind of qualities that Paul is talking about here. 378 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:18,320 Help the afflicted and devoted herself to every good work. 379 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:21,200 So these are good qualities for women to live by. 380 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,720 And these are the qualifications that he says are those who are going to make those genuine 381 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:28,000 widows and those real widows. 382 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,480 These are the qualities that they need to look for. 383 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:37,560 These are the people that Paul says that brothers and sisters in Christ need to help out. 384 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:44,240 Then in verse 11, he talks about those who need to be refused, but refuse to enroll younger 385 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:45,240 widows. 386 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:47,000 Now, why is that? 387 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,760 Is there some reason why younger widows shouldn't be helped? 388 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:53,000 Well, there is a reason that he gives. 389 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:59,280 And he says, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry 390 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:06,160 and therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. 391 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,760 Now, this is a little tricky. 392 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:12,920 Again, this is when I say it's hard to know exactly what's being said here because it 393 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:15,960 talks about them renouncing their original pledge. 394 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:17,920 Well, what is that pledge? 395 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:23,680 Well, it doesn't clearly say, but we see a difference between the real widow and the 396 00:24:23,680 --> 00:24:25,760 genuine widow mentioned before. 397 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:26,760 And what was that? 398 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:30,560 That they have kind of devoted themselves to God, that they're trusting God, that they're 399 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:32,840 praying continually. 400 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:37,700 They're not looking for another man, but they're content to seek God for their help. 401 00:24:37,700 --> 00:24:42,320 That seems to be the difference here between the older person and the younger person. 402 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,020 Because what does it say about the younger person? 403 00:24:45,020 --> 00:24:51,400 It says that they may want to marry and be drawn away from their pledge, be drawn away 404 00:24:51,400 --> 00:24:52,880 from Jesus. 405 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:58,000 That is to say, maybe sometimes young women were pledging, young widows, and saying, oh, 406 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:01,320 I'm going to be devoted to Jesus Christ and I'm going to serve and I'm going to remain 407 00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:02,960 single. 408 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:06,720 And then they begin to receive help from the church, but then they begin to look for another 409 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:08,960 man and then they begin to look for marriage. 410 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:12,920 And then they're taking from the funds of the church that could be going to someone 411 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:14,420 who really needs it. 412 00:25:14,420 --> 00:25:18,920 And they're going back on their pledge, whatever that pledge may be. 413 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:23,800 And so Paul is given some qualifications here and some instructions here of these are the 414 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:27,840 ones you need to help and these are the ones you need to refuse. 415 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:31,640 And he gives us a reason why, even if it's not super clear. 416 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:36,480 But then he continues on to clarify here in verse 13. 417 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:42,700 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house. 418 00:25:42,700 --> 00:25:48,800 They are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies saying things they shouldn't 419 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:50,200 say. 420 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:54,600 So it appears as though these younger women are not trusting in God. 421 00:25:54,600 --> 00:25:58,280 They're getting some support possibly from the church. 422 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:02,480 And yet, while the church is footing the bill, they're just being idle. 423 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:06,760 They're going around spending their time gossiping and being busybodies and getting everybody's 424 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:11,520 business and not making any effort to work and contribute to society and get back on 425 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:12,520 their feet. 426 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:16,560 And they're kind of leeching off the church maybe is what it sounds like here. 427 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:19,680 So Paul says, hey, we don't want to support that. 428 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:24,580 Now, certainly there may be young widows sometime who have a genuine need. 429 00:26:24,580 --> 00:26:29,920 And I believe that the church needs to help those widows get back on their feet. 430 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:34,060 But it sounds like what's going on here with these young people that's being addressed 431 00:26:34,060 --> 00:26:36,120 is that they weren't trying to get on their feet. 432 00:26:36,120 --> 00:26:39,960 They were just getting the church's money and they were doing whatever they wanted to 433 00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:40,960 do. 434 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:42,480 And Paul says, that's not a good thing. 435 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:44,560 That's not the way it should be. 436 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:49,560 Verse 14, therefore, so he's just to give them instruction. 437 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:51,800 He says, some of the young women are doing this. 438 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:54,380 Some of the young widows are doing this. 439 00:26:54,380 --> 00:26:56,680 But he says, this is what you need to do young women. 440 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:01,920 And this is true not just for widows, but for any young woman. 441 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:09,260 Verse 14, therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their household 442 00:27:09,260 --> 00:27:13,800 and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. 443 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:19,360 Now, this is the instruction of Paul, but this instruction would not be very popular 444 00:27:19,360 --> 00:27:20,800 in our world today. 445 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:23,440 It would not be popular among women today. 446 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:27,920 If you went to a college campus today and you read them the word of God and said, this 447 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:29,960 is what God wants you to do. 448 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:38,440 This is how you can find joy and fulfillment, women, to marry, have children, stay home 449 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:40,680 and raise those children. 450 00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:42,040 Women today don't want to hear that. 451 00:27:42,040 --> 00:27:44,120 Women today are taught, no, you don't need to have children. 452 00:27:44,120 --> 00:27:45,120 You need to put it off. 453 00:27:45,120 --> 00:27:46,120 You need to have a career. 454 00:27:46,120 --> 00:27:47,120 Don't worry about children. 455 00:27:47,120 --> 00:27:48,200 They'll slow you down. 456 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:51,840 But that's just the opposite of what God's word says here. 457 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:58,320 And so God's word says, look, find a good man, raise a good family, be a good mother. 458 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:01,280 And that's what Paul says here to these widows. 459 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:06,280 That's why I don't think he's disqualification before where it said the wife of one husband. 460 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:11,920 I don't think he's saying if someone is lost one husband and married again, that that disqualifies 461 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:16,200 them from any help in the future because he turns right around here and speaks to these 462 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:17,640 young women who are widows. 463 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:20,420 And he says, you need to marry. 464 00:28:20,420 --> 00:28:23,840 You need to find you a man and you need to marry and you need to have children because 465 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:27,760 you're young and you're strong and you're able to work and you're able to raise children 466 00:28:27,760 --> 00:28:31,960 and you're able to be a good wife and you're able to take care of a man. 467 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,040 And this is what you need to do. 468 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:35,640 And what's the purpose of that? 469 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:39,260 It's going to keep them from getting in trouble because what would they be doing otherwise? 470 00:28:39,260 --> 00:28:41,960 They would be idle and gossips and busybodies. 471 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:46,460 And he says, look, young women, you don't want to fall into that trap. 472 00:28:46,460 --> 00:28:52,640 So therefore find a man, start a family and take care of them so that you won't give the 473 00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:56,920 advert, the adversary an opportunity to accuse us. 474 00:28:56,920 --> 00:28:59,400 Don't, don't, don't fall into that trap. 475 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,080 Don't be a, don't be a bad example. 476 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:07,480 Say that you're of God and then go out and do all these things and get yourself in trouble. 477 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:10,360 Find you a good man and settle down and live a good life. 478 00:29:10,360 --> 00:29:16,120 He says, verse 15, for some have already turned away to follow Satan. 479 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:21,520 If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them and the church should 480 00:29:21,520 --> 00:29:27,880 not be burdened so that it can help those who are genuinely widows. 481 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:29,160 So what's the point of all this? 482 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:33,760 Well, I think he tells us in these last couple of verses, Paul's not just being a big meaning 483 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:36,880 saying, well, you can help them people, but you can't help them people. 484 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:43,000 What Paul is saying is, is that the church has limited assets and there are people out 485 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,140 there that really, really need help. 486 00:29:46,140 --> 00:29:51,080 And there are some people out there that don't really need the help that there have people 487 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:53,560 that can help them, that should help them. 488 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:55,800 And maybe sometimes do help them. 489 00:29:55,800 --> 00:30:00,200 There are some people out there who will try to steal from the church. 490 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:01,760 That's simply what it is. 491 00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:05,400 So they may not call it that, but there are people that go from church to church and they 492 00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:09,640 try to leech from this church and leech from that church so that they don't have to do 493 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:10,640 anything. 494 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:12,520 They can get what they can get. 495 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:18,120 And what that does is when churches help people, and it's good for us to help people, but when 496 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:23,480 churches help people that are taking advantage of the church, then that takes monies from 497 00:30:23,480 --> 00:30:25,800 somebody else that may really need it. 498 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:31,920 And so it requires on our behalf as a church, especially for those who serve on or may serve 499 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:36,600 on the Benevolence Committee in the future, to think about some needs that come before 500 00:30:36,600 --> 00:30:37,600 us. 501 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:38,600 It's the hardest thing. 502 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:39,600 Nobody wants to say no. 503 00:30:39,600 --> 00:30:41,440 We want to say yes to everything. 504 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:45,360 But this passage is a good reminder to us that there are some times that you need to 505 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:50,240 say no, that there are some times that maybe some things don't qualify. 506 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:53,800 We use God's money and we want to use it for godly things. 507 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:57,720 We want to use it for godly things that are going to promote the kingdom of God, that 508 00:30:57,720 --> 00:31:00,280 are going to point people to Jesus Christ. 509 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:05,200 We want people to see the love of Jesus Christ through us. 510 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:10,600 And Paul says, look, so that we can be effective for the kingdom of God when it comes to funds 511 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:15,440 and when it comes to widows here in this case, you need to make sure that you're doing right 512 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:16,800 with God's money. 513 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:19,160 You don't want to put a burden on the church. 514 00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:20,760 So what does he say? 515 00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:26,840 Those of you who have family, if you've got a mother or a grandmother, then it's our responsibility 516 00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:28,880 to take care of those people. 517 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:32,520 And by doing so, it relieves the burden from the church. 518 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:37,000 Now that's not to say that there aren't some situations that maybe you do all you can to 519 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:40,880 take care of your mother or grandmother and you still get in a situation where you need 520 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:41,880 help. 521 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:46,160 Well, praise God, I think it's good for the brothers and sisters in Christ to help in 522 00:31:46,160 --> 00:31:47,160 those situations. 523 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:52,360 I don't think Paul is saying if the children help, then the church should never help. 524 00:31:52,360 --> 00:31:56,720 There may be opportunities in which that needs to occur, but we need to do what we can so 525 00:31:56,720 --> 00:32:01,520 that we don't put a burden on the church so that we find those who genuinely have needs 526 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:03,280 and we help those needs. 527 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:04,280 Let's pray. 528 00:32:04,280 --> 00:32:05,800 Father God, we come to you. 529 00:32:05,800 --> 00:32:06,800 We thank you for your words. 530 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:11,740 I pray that you would help us to be obedient, to help those who are around us, maybe those 531 00:32:11,740 --> 00:32:14,120 in our own family, dear Lord. 532 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:15,400 Maybe it's those in the community. 533 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:17,640 I pray that you put people in our path, God. 534 00:32:17,640 --> 00:32:22,480 We want to be found faithful to help the widows who are in need, but we need some discernment, 535 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:23,480 dear Lord. 536 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:27,560 We see lists like this and we want to make good decisions. 537 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:30,720 Sometimes it's not always cut and dry. 538 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:34,240 Sometimes there's a lot of details and a lot of thought that has to go into it, but dear 539 00:32:34,240 --> 00:32:36,240 Lord, we want to be found faithful. 540 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:41,720 We want to help who we need to help and not throw your money away for those, dear Lord, 541 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:44,880 that maybe don't have the right heart when they seek it. 542 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:48,520 So God, I pray that you would help us to have the right heart and do what we need to do 543 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:54,360 and I pray that you would bless those that we have helped or may be able to help in the 544 00:32:54,360 --> 00:32:55,800 future, dear Lord. 545 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:58,960 I pray this all for the glory of Jesus Christ. 546 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:00,520 In Jesus' name I ask it. 547 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:15,200 Amen.