1 Timothy 5 - Family

This chapter is mainly about taking care of family and how to treat other people. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, it is our responsibility to lift one another up, support one another, and “soldier on” together, all for God’s glory. If not, we are no better than the unbelievers. Paul reinforces this in verse 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.”

Too many times we get caught in family squabbles, hurt feelings, and resentment to see the truth. Our family is our responsibility. If a family member is hurting, regardless of what they have done to you, as a believer, you must take care of them. “but they aren’t worthy of my help”, “you don’t know what they did to me”, true; however, is it any worse that what we have done to God? Christ loved us enough to die for us and forgive us of our sins, regardless of what we did to Him. No one has treated us worse that we, individually and collectively, treated Christ, yet He loves us, forgives us, and takes care of us. The least we can do is the same for others.

Lord, help me to forgive those who have wronged me, as You forgave me, and to follow Your word to take care of those in need, especially my family and Your family, as You have taken care of me, Your son.