But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:4, 81 Timothy 5:4, 8
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to serve God by taking care of her, as she once took care of them. This is what God wants them to do. 8 People who don't take care of their relatives, and especially their own families, have given up their faith. They are worse than someone who doesn't have faith in the Lord.
WP-Bible plugin
I have been out from under my parent’s authority for 30 years. I tried my best to be an obedient child when I was growing up because I knew the verse that commanded children to obey their parents. And I feel I have honored them in my adulthood by listening to their advice and respecting them as individuals. After my father’s death, I was more keenly aware of my mom’s needs, and that one day I may have to care for her. But until I really read these verses, I did not realize how much scripture has to say about caring for our parents. It is right there in black and white, and there is really no getting around exactly what the scripture says!
Repay Your Parents
As a parent myself, I know how much you have to give to your children. You give to meet their physical needs of food, clothing and shelter, and all the special gifts you provide for them beyond their basic needs. However, the most selfless gift you provide for them is in the area of emotional and spiritual support. All their lives they will need this from you as a parent, and all your life you will give it.
It’s interesting to think that scripture tells us to repay our parents for all they have done for us. Of course, that is impossible to do! But it should have an influence on us when we consider how we will care for our parents. With this as our standard (to repay our parents) we are called to a selfless giving of ourselves as we give back to them. No matter what our care looks like (whether in our home or in a home run by professionals), it should reflect our desire to care for them in the same manner as—or better than—that which we received from our parents when we were growing up. In our selfish society, this will cause us to stand out from the rest.
Put Your Religion into Practice
Yes, the world should be able to see something different in us as we care for our parents. Perhaps your parents weren’t the best at raising you. Still, the scriptures are clear that we are to care for them graciously, because of their position as our parents. This surely will show your parents what it means to walk with God, and our culture will take note, too. If we claim to be followers of Christ, and do not care for our families, our words and testimony are empty, and the world will see right through us.
It Is Pleasing to God
This is the ultimate motive—to please God. Isn’t that our goal in life and in everything we do? Romans 12:1Romans 12:1
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Christ Brings New Life
12
1 Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God.
WP-Bible plugin tells us to be living sacrifices to God, and this pleases him. When it comes to family, what better way to please God than through sacrificial giving to care for those who gave us life? Our parents will be honored, our Heavenly Father will be pleased, and our world will note that our lives are different, bring glory and honor to God. So, when we honor our parents, we honor our God. It may not always be easy, but it is the right thing to do.
prayer
Heavenly Father, we desire to be pleasing to you in all that we do. Help us to honor our parents by caring for them when they can no longer care for themselves. Help us to love them and give back to them in the same way you give to us. May the world take note of the differences in our lives, and may we bring glory and honor to your name. It is in that name that we pray, Amen.
This post was originally distributed through PDF in conjunction with the Law And Order series, May 28, 2007.
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