Instruction

5:1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 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.

The first two verses are very clear. This is what you should do. In particular if you are a leader. Be respectful to those who you are serving. We are to correct in love and humility. It will not serve others if we are harsh and rash when we bring correction. We should be wanting to care for people in our correction as our pastor's would for us.

Verse 3-6. We all need to do this as a Church. It is not something that just falls on the back of our leaders. I am so gratefully for our Single Mom's and Widow's Event where we set aside one day to serve 25-30 Single Mom's and Widow's all day. Now, I am not saying that one event is enough. We need to frequently reach out and help. It should be a part of our lifestyle.

V.7. Timothy is urged by Paul to command these things so that the Church will be without reproach. It is a reproach to God and what He has called us to do, if we don't serve and care for widows.

V.8. 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. The last line of this verse is very serious. By not doing what God has commanded, you break His law. He has called us to do this, we can not neglect.