Day 648: 1 Timothy 5- Strategic Shepherding

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.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

​Meditation
How we love one another as the Church matters for our good and God’s glory. Jesus says our love for one another is the billboard to the world proclaiming we are His disciples (John 13:35). God has loved us with humility, in sacrifice, and service. Christians today must love and lead the same way.

Paul had explained to Timothy how to guard the Church from false teachers. Now he explains how to lead and feed God’s sheep. Paul instructs Timothy on how the church is to care for everyone- older men, older women, younger men, younger women, families, poor, hungry, lonely, sick, and unsheltered. Taken together this passage shows strategic shepherding care for the saints.

In the flock of Christ’s church every member matters, every sheep is significant. Second, the majority of the focus is on older members. The intentionality of Paul is an invitation to all Christians (and I pray it is an inspiration for you)- Love your church intentionally, strategically, sacrificially, and intergenerationally!

As a Christian passionate about mission I am impressed by how mission begins in our own houses, first. May the Lord be pleased to empower the Church to be a counter culture where Christians love one another as we have been loved, in humility, with sacrifice, and strategic service.
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Richly Dwelling
-Every member matters in the church. Does your life and love in the church reflect Paul’s priority for Timothy?
 
-What are hurdles in the hearts of the saints to love with this level of humility, sacrifice, and service?
 
-How does fueling our faith by the work of Jesus help us to live and love as He loved us?
 
Key Verse
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.