Having a reputation for good works

John Farley
Pastor Teacher
Sunday,
December 6, 2020

 

www.basictraining.org

Basic Training Bible Ministries is led by Gene Cunningham with his wife Nan as his support and companion. 

 

Their mission includes evangelism and the training of pastors and workers in remote regions of the world.

Gene has been instrumental in establishing Bible schools in Africa, India and Papua New Guinea. 

Nan holds classes for the pastors' wives. She has also developed Bible schools for children in both India and Papa New Guinea.

They also conduct missions training camps in North America and Australia to train others to do the same.

Having a reputation for good works

1TI 5:9-16

Verses 3-16 address the care of widows.

The church has a duty to respect widows, and, in some cases, to provide for their financial needs.

Many women were “on the list” who should not have been receiving financial support from the church.

Timothy needed objective criteria to decide who would,
and who would not,
be supported.

1TI 5:3-8

“Widows indeed” have no means of support, and have been left alone.

The congregation has a responsibility to provide for those who are “widows indeed”.

These family members have a duty to provide for their mother or grandmother.

1TI 5:9-10

Paul set the cutoff age at 60 years old.

This one criterion would remove most of the excess burden on the church budget.

The median life expectancy for a person who reached the age of 5 back then was 51 years.

The age of 60 in the first century would be the equivalent of 85 today.

Furthermore, the widow had to have been faithful to her husband.

In addition, she had to have led a life devoted to good works.

She had been a good mother.

She fulfilled her duty to be hospitable to strangers.

“washing the saints’ feet” was shorthand for humble service to fellow Christians.

She gave aid to those in distress.

2TI 3:10-12

Being devoted to good works meant living a virtuous Christian life (ROM 12:9-16).

ROM 12:9-16

Younger widows cannot be put on the list. The church should not cover their financial needs.

1TI 5:11-15

What did Paul mean by “younger”? younger than 60? Beyond child bearing age?

Younger widows still had sexual desires. They did not have the gift of celibacy.

1CO 7:34-35

Too much free time on her hands.

They were gossips and busybodies.

It’s a short step
from idle
to idolatry.

2TI 3:6

Tell the younger widows to get married! And bear children!

1TI 5:14-15

Her sexual desires and material needs can be met by her husband.

And once she has children she DEFINITELY won’t be idle any longer!

Widows with children or grandchildren have their needs met by family members.

Younger widows have their needs met by marrying a husband.

Widows who live a self-indulgent, ungodly lifestyle shouldn’t be supported.