1 Timothy – Week 8 – Day 4

READ 

1 Timothy 5:9-10 

9 A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. 10 She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good? 

Paul instructed Timothy on the qualifications of a widow who should be put on the church roll for help. This involves looking into her background to see what she has done. It seems the main concern of the apostle Paul was that the church should not be supporting someone just because it is asked to do so. Competent, godly leaders should be the ones doing the background search.  

REFLECT 

Think about the qualifications Paul listed for the widow worthy of support. If you were in that situation—or perhaps are now—would you meet the standards? 

RESPOND 

Do you have a leadership role in your local church? If so, how would you go about getting answers to Paul’s concerns about a widow meeting these qualifications?