1 Timothy 5:9, 10 says,...

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 5:9, 10, which read, 

A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less that sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 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.

Paul continues his instruction to Timothy about this special group of people in the church, the widows.  The widows were to go to their family for help and provision first but for those who had no family, then the church was to be their provision of resources and protection.

Of that group are the older widows, those over the age of sixty who were to be used within the church for purposes of ministry.  Like the elders and deacons, there were requirements regarding character to be considered to be on this list rather than just their age. 

• not less than 60 years old - maybe this is the first reference to retirement but more likely the to refer to those ladies after the child bearing age

• wife of one man - a one man woman with loyalty and a life that supported God's definition and design of marriage

• reputation of good works - someone who has the fruit of good works flowing out of her relationship with Jesus Christ

• brought up children - the family element is considered in relationship to the care of the family of God

• shown hospitality to strangers - this is a person who reaches out to others before they are friends and no longer strangers with what resources God has provided to them

• washed the saints' feet - the washing of feet was a humble job usually performed by slaves but it took on a different meaning with Jesus' example of this to His disciples, this is someone one who forgives

• assisted those in distress - someone who lends a hand or ear or mind to those with a physical, emotional, or mental need

• devoted herself to every good work - she is not just performing the good work but putting her heart and soul into it

This is a special list of ladies within the body of Christ.  This is a group that every church would be benefited by if it was put into place.  This is a godly group of older widows who are being utilized by the church to serve Christ in this unique time of life that they are in.  Instead of saying, "Woe is me, I am without a man,"  Paul gives instruction to Timothy to enlist these ladies to put their faith into overdrive within the body of Christ as a "serving machine."  Tomorrow will come instruction to the younger widows under the age of sixty.

The widows are being provided for by the church but the widows are not just sitting around.  They are being mobilized and challenged to actively be used by God to do godly things through and within the body of Christ.  Do we see these ladies in our churches in this light?  Do we see another of God's forces within the church that have such a place and responsibility placed upon them by Him?  Do we mobilize this group of saintly widows to do saintly things?  Let's pray. 

"Lord, death of a family member is tragic but it is not to immobilize us.  You have ministry for us to do at any stage of life.  You use our life experiences to be used by You as You have fashioned our lives in living after You.  May the older widows of our churches see Your good works laid out for them to fulfill in the name of Christ.  May the older widows continue to display with their words and actions the God that they still serve even though they have lost through physical death their physical groom, they continue to serve their eternal spiritual groom.  Amen."

Pastor Adam