1 Timothy 5: Are You Supporting Your Preachers?
Verse of the Day: (V17) “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
1. Widow (V1-16)
V4 “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.”
God cares for His people, especially the widows, who lost their husbands who were sole breadwinners of the family. Apostle Paul advised his successor, Timothy, that they would only help the widows who were above 60 years of age and who truly had no one to take care of them. The younger widows could actually find work and support themselves and their own families, or they might marry and their husbands would then take care of them and their families. Indeed, let us be wise, and only help those who truly need it, as there will always be some who will abuse and take advantage of our kindness and generosity.
V9 “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,”
2. Word (V17-23)
V18 “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
God cares for His preachers who fully give their lives to preach His Word. God through Paul commanded Timothy and all Christians to financially support their full-time preachers, just like the ox deserve to eat the harvests of corns which they had been ploughing on the cornfields. God also warn the Christians never to falsely accuse the preachers of any wrongdoings unless there are truthful witnesses and concrete evidences.
V19 “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”
3. Works (V24-25)
V24 “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.”
God cares for His plan and purpose, and He shall only bless and keep His people and preachers when we trust and obey Him, otherwise all our works and labour is in vain. At the end of the day, when we face our God, He shall have only be 2 responses – “Come to Me, you have done great and good works!” or “Depart from Me, I never know you!”
V25 “Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to support my preachers both in prayer and finance.
