FAITHFUL OR FAITH DENYING,,,

FAITHFUL OR FAITH DENYING…

 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. —I Timothy 5:8

 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. —I Timothy 5:16

             Family… should be the strongest bond among those who follow Jesus.  It should be a place where I feel safe, taken care of and loved.  Here is where I know that I would be supported and protected, find understanding and encouragement and loving correction.  Today’s family is disintegrating and family members are not being cared for as God’s Word commands.  Instead members of families are doing their own thing, focusing on themselves. 

I find this especially sad among young people who are not caring, respecting or treating their parents as they should.  Parents spend 18 or more years caring for their children and then when parents need care in their older years or in years of health decline the commitment to parents is largely lacking so many times.  I have heard sad stories of those who fit this description who rarely see their children or even hear from their children say nothing about children helping parents with their needs.

For believers to not take care of their own family, well God has some pretty strong words— they have “denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  Wow!  Those are some pretty strong words coming from God.  What will one say to Him about that?  There are no excuses for not taking the responsibility that is yours.  You will give an account to God about it one day.

Healthy, faithful families will care for the needs of members in their family.  It is not the responsibility of the church to help those who have family members that can help.  It is the responsibility of those family members to help so the church can focus on those who do not have family members to help… or those who won’t.  The first responsibility is for family members to help.  If they are unwilling to help then what God says applies to them.  They have “denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  May we be a faithful family member both with our parents, siblings, relatives and as a member of the family of God.  May it be so Dear Father by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zesV09UAytk