First, sorry about the lack of Rooted yesterday.  My schedule got away from me the other day and I was not able to get to it. Back at it today.  Today we are reading from 1 Timothy 5: 9-16:

9 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once; 10 she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list; for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry, 12 and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house; and they are not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us. 15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are really widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it can assist those who are real widows.

One of the things that we see happening here is dealing with the position of “widows” in the church.  This seemed to be a pretty consistent issue in the church, we see it in Acts with the creation of deacons, and one of their primary goals is to care for the widows. 

But we see this is a specific thing, an “office” if you will, of women, who are older, who have pledged themselves to service through the church, they will serve, pray for, and help within the body, and because of this, the church will help take care of them. 

But we see that this is something that is not for everyone, it is for the older who can no longer do certain things. It is not for the younger ones who can still marry, or who can still provide for their families.  And in fact, if those who are able to do, choose not to “do” then becomes a danger for them and for others.  

We are called in our lives to “work” for something.  Paul says in Philippians to “work out our salvation with much fear and trembling.”  We always have responsibility in our lives, in our efforts, and in our work.  For the good of the church, and for their own good, these young ones need to take their responsibility for themselves, for the church, and for the kingdom. 

We who can, should, and we who can should take care of those who cannot. That is what Paul is getting Timothy to instill in the church.  Let’s all do our part.  Let’s all take care of our responsibilities.  In this, God is glorified and we, as well as others, are helped.  

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