There was a time when families lived close to one another, worked together, knew one another, and knew they were to help one another through this life and until eternal life began. 

One of the challenges with God’s word is that many of us in this world, especially in American culture, do not live as families lived in the days of Scripture. But Paul’s words to Timothy should still be relied on as spiritual truth. Paul was teaching Timothy that Christians should honor and care for the “widows who are truly widows.”

First-century women who became Christians were often “disowned” by their Jewish families. They were socially unable to work and without a family, unable to provide for their needs and sometimes the needs of their children. A woman could be a widow because her husband had died or simply because her husband considered her “dead” to him.

Paul taught Timothy that Christians should “show godliness to their own household” and continue to care for their parents as well as others. God is pleased when his children work hard to remain a family that loves and honors one another.

Our culture still values those who “care” for their parents, but, as Christians, we will always have a higher calling as well. We are called to honor our parents and continue to “show godliness” to those in our families. That compassion and priority is “pleasing in the sight of God” and a strong witness to those around us.

Wisdom is pleasing God. Has a family member come to mind as a result of these words? Will you pray for the wisdom to know how to move your relationship forward in a way that will be pleasing to God?