1 Timothy 5:8 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.

The passage from verse 3~16 gives a framework for Christian social welfare that has largely been ignored since at least the middle of the 20th Century, replaced, in America at least, by dependence on the government. This is far from a matter of indiscriminate handouts; verse 6 and others make that very clear. Work opportunities for women were very limited back then, but Paul makes it very clear that those being supported by the group are to be active for the benefit of the group. (verse 9 and following) However, this verse hits at those who would offload responsibility to someone else. Paul is hitting at the attitude Jesus had to deal with in the Pharisees, who used twists of logic to excuse themselves from caring for aged parents. (Mark 7:9-12) Today we don’t use the same excuses as the Pharisees, but far too many people choose not to care about those less fortunate, assuming that the government will do the job for them and getting incensed when the government does it poorly. Far and away the best, most efficient social welfare programs are private, and specifically Christian. Only when people express the integrity and compassion of Christ do they really get things right in this area. Those involved in other programs with the same stated aims often attack and even try to sabotage the Christian programs, out of jealousy or even to try to “get a bigger piece of the pie” for themselves. Nothing is a “zero-sum game” in God’s economy, because His resources are infinite! Christians need to wake up to their opportunities and responsibilities and stop thinking that secular organizations are the answer.

I have never been in the position of needing to provide for my own aged relatives, and thankfully, at this point at least, it doesn’t look like Cathy and I will be much of a burden on our children. There is an irony to my saying that, because we do benefit from government pension and health insurance programs, but I’m not saying that’s ideal. To this point I have not been a big contributor to even such top-notch Christian organizations as Samaritan’s Purse, and the Lord may be saying that needs to change. I don’t think I’ve been stingy in opportunities close to home, but that’s not something to be proud of. I need to be a good steward of all God places in my hands, letting Him indicate how it is to be used and not being possessive of any of it. He is big enough even to use me, and it is a joy to be His agent.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It’s not an issue I usually think about very much. Help me think Your thoughts after You about every area of my life, so that I may be an unhindered channel of Your grace and love to all, drawing them to You for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!