1 Timothy 5: Meeting Needs

“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” -1 Timothy 5:3

The church has served those in need since its beginning. Yet it didn’t take long for the needs to overwhelm the ability of early Christians to provide. As a result, tough choices had to be made. When it came to caring for widows, Paul was especially sensitive to care without compromise. His principles still offer much relevance today.

First, Paul made his primary focus one of identification. “Give proper recognition.” If the need is not clearly identified, it cannot be met well (or at all).

Second, the help was targeted. 1 Timothy 5 addresses many segments of people, each with their own principles of care. Clear identification of needs was followed by a clear target of who must be helped.

Third, we find the care itself. A clear call was made to help those who met Paul’s criteria. When those who could be helped in other ways had been removed from the list of those truly in need, the need could then realistically be met. Lives were changed, compassion took place.

As we, our churches, and even our nation look at these principles, we find that we can best help widows and others truly in need when we know who to help, how to help, and then actually take steps to help.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.