Worse Than an Unbeliever

Daily Reading:  1 Timothy 5

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. (1 Timothy 5:8)

Devotional Thought: In 1 Timothy 5, Paul gives Pastor Timothy some practical instructions about family, the church, and work.  In speaking of the family, he stresses how important it is that family members take care of one another.  He very forcefully claims that to neglect your family is equivalent to denying faith in the Lord Jesus himself!

Paul says that we must provide for our families – especially for our immediate family.

The context in which Paul gives this instruction is financial – in particular the care shown to widows.  Paul was concerned that the care of widows would not fall solely upon the church, but would rather rest primarily upon the widow’s family, with assistance from the church.  In principle, that means that we should provide support for our families through hard work and generosity, through wise, not wasteful, spending.

But there are other ways we must provide for our families as well:

• Love and affection.  God desires that his children live in environments of love.  We must learn to show love to those we know best.

• Nurture and care.  In my pastoral work, I see something that troubles me: families who expect the church to “be there” for their family members while at the same time not "being there" themselves.

• Education and opportunity.  As I was growing up, I was never shown how to drive a nail or cut a 2X4.  I didn’t know how to change the oil in a car.  Families must teach their children life skills.

• Emotional stability.  Home should be a place of peace and security.

• Foundation of faith.  We can’t leave this up to the church.  Jesus Christ needs to be a member of every family!

Provide these and other things for your family!

Prayer: Lord, I want you to be proud of me - especially of the way I treat my family.  Help me, Father, to provide for them what they need: support, love, nurture, education, stability, and faith.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:9-16

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!

13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.