November 9, 2025 - 1 Timothy 5

How to treat older men and older women?  How to relate to widows and their children and grandchildren?  Provisions for one’s household and other relatives?  How to manage households?  Honor given to the elders of the church?  The role of good works?  Paul addresses all these issues in chapter 5.  We would do well, very well, to pay heed.  There is one section that is interesting, speaking of the godly widow versus the widow who is all about herself:  “She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives” (5:5-6).  Of course, these verses aptly apply to all, not just widows.  I read an article, last week, about many people who want nothing to do with delayed gratification.  They want what they want, NOW!  Work two jobs in order to save for a house down payment?  Forego eating out constantly so that money can be saved for retirement and benevolent giving to others?  Hold on to the same phone for eight years rather than getting the latest, greatest every two years?  New cars regularly?  No, no, no, no, and no!  You know, even as the gospel daily reminds us that we are absolutely dependent upon God for our salvation, the Bible also gives us wonderful counsel about everyday living.

Oh, say not that the Christian life

Is one of gloom and fears;

That wisdom’s narrow path is rife

With bitterness and tears;

Ah, no, a joy the Christian knows

That worldlings never knew,

And peace that like a river flows

And pleasures pure and true.   –A. A. Graley (1891)