A life that speaks for itself

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 5:9-10 A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work

Application: In a previous section I talked about Responsibility for the giver, here Paul discusses further the qualifications or RESPONSIBILITIES of the receiver, in this case the widow. Paul qualifies that the financial “gift” the church takes offerings for the support of widows was not just some “love gift”, this was more like a retirement income. The church was committing to meet her needs, as they arose, for the rest of her life. I am not going to revisit all the points covered previously, instead I would like for us to consider the issue Paul speaks on, highlighting the life we should have with the world outside the Church using widows as the example. Often we become over focused in our ministry, as we meet the needs of the Body of Christ and lose focus of the world going to hell.

Meeting the needs of the Body is important and the scripture emphasizes that, but as with all of the Word there is balance. We see here 3 very essential faces that the world needs to see from every believer!

1. “Having a reputation for good works” – This is the testimony in the community we live in, among the unbelievers and believers in the church. There are many that have a “church” reputation and a “work” reputation. Some are so different that they would not recognize each other if they bumped into each other on the street! This shows we are not growing spiritually. Our Spiritual Foundation is lacking and we lack intimacy with our Lord. This speaks to an integrated life that is transparent, what we are, where ever we are should be the same.

2. “Has shown hospitality to strangers” How consistent is your friendliness to those you know versus those that you don’t? Obvious your love and friendship will be at a different level for those you know versus strangers, but what is being considered here is how open are we to those that we have no comfort zone with? This is a real work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the child of God. Only God can empower us to let those natural walls down we all have when it comes to people we do not know. This fruit will not be produced if we do not seek it, we need to ask God to help us be open and kind to strangers.

3. “Has assisted those in distress” Now we find ourselves in the book of James, because this was one of his challenges to all those that call themselves Christian. When we see someone in need and “only” tell them we hope they feel better, but “do” nothing for them, we confuse what the term “Christian love” means.  (James 2:14-19) We show our lack of gratitude for all Christ has done for us.

Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

Acts 20:35  “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Matthew 25:44–46 “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ ⁴⁵ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ ⁴⁶ “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

When we step out in faith and assist someone in distress, it will cost us something; money, time, sometimes even our safety, and that is a message that resonates even in the most hostile atheist!

Yet we are commanded to give,

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.

God has always honored His children’s actions of love, we may not always see how He honors, but Jesus said He sees it and it is kept in His record book. Thanks Lord how your Word challenges us to check your works against our words. They both need to be there! 

Meditation Questions: What would your neighbors say you are like? What about your coworkers? What does that say? What is the difference between a testimony and an image? What is image based on? What is testimony based on? When you do good things for others, what is the reason? If your deeds go unnoticed how does that effect you? Most individuals that you consider very strong believers, what is that based on? What they say? How they live? What does your answer show you?