21 Jul 2011
I Timothy 5:9-10
I Timothy 5:9: “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”
It’s interesting to notice how many “ifs” are attached to this. In today’s world society has no qualms about giving money to anyone who asks for it, regardless of their situation. It doesn’t matter if they are capable of working or not; it doesn’t matter if they are of good character or are shiftless thieves; it doesn’t matter if they have been generous or selfish. The policy is simple: give money to everyone who asks for it, no matter what.
But God holds the church to a different standard. We are to be a lot more discerning. The rules are clear: give to those who are in need, yes – so long as they are truly in need, and cannot work, and have led holy lives dedicated to service. Don’t give to shiftless, lazy people who are capable of taking care of themselves but are simply too immoral to do so.
The church would be wise to heed these teachings. It’s not a good idea to hand out money to anyone and everyone who knocks on the church’s door and asks for it. We need to start exercising discernment, instead of simply acting without thinking. Doing that tends to make a bad situation even worse.