The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Willis Hall
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim 5:8 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
First Timothy 5 teaches about our responsibility to care for the well-being of the family and other vulnerable persons in our community. To do this successfully, we must have something to share with others and be willing to do so joyfully. Effective sharing of personal resources requires caring hearts, strong moral character, and wisdom. And if we lack understanding, we should ask God, who gives it generously (Jas 1:5), because wisdom and love for others are the foundation of sharing with others.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Paul counsels Timothy, his “true son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2), about protecting vulnerable persons in the church community, especially widows who are really in need (5:3). The church is a unique body in which people must treat others with honor—older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters (5:1–2). Therefore, it is no surprise that believers are to provide for the widows and other dependents in their families, excluding young and healthy family members who can provide for themselves. In essence, if we say we love our family, we must care for them since doing otherwise denies the Christian faith and results in behavior worse than an unbeliever.
EXHORTATION
Christian believers represent God. Family and community are vital institutions of God. Therefore, let us be good stewards of our family and community by caring for the needs of members who cannot provide for themselves.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, give us the wisdom and the will to care joyfully for vulnerable persons in our community. Help us discern with whom we must share our resources and whom we must teach about taking responsibility for themselves and others. Help us put away selfish chatter and become like You, loving and caring Father. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.