Faith That Starts at Home
Look closely at Paul's words here: "If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God" (1 Timothy 5:4).
A godly person cares for their family. They have a responsibility to look after their own. Notice what Paul calls it, too - it is the way you put your religion into practice. Not a sideline to your faith, but the front line of it. Paul says that Christians should be caring for their own parents and grandparents, because this pleases God.
Caring for Ageing Parents
I have sat in retirement homes and frail-care facilities with older folks who haven't heard from their family in years, who haven't seen them for ages. They get dropped off with the promise that someone will come and visit, and soon the promise fades to nothing.
I'm not trying to guilt you if you've had to move an elderly parent into a home of some sort. In most cases I think it is a good move, because in our world where both men and women work full time just to survive, you can't have one person at home caring for an older parent in the way you perhaps could in past generations. Moving an elderly parent to the right place, where they can be properly helped and cared for, is a compassionate move - if you still visit and phone and care yourself.
I wonder if God might be tapping you on the shoulder today, saying make that call. Arrange that visit. And make it a regular part of your life.
Providing for Your Household
Paul also says this: "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).
Unfortunately, that verse has caused many a person to feel great guilt when they've lost a job and can't find another. We know the reality of that in our country, South Africa. Jobs are scarce. Paul is not condemning you here if you are trying to find work and doing all you can to provide. He is condemning those who sit around and don't even try. That's not on, he says. In fact, Paul would often say that you shouldn't have nothing to do with a lazy person.
If you're cruising and playing games and watching videos while your family goes hungry, you're denying your faith. Maybe God is tapping you on the shoulder and saying lay down your pride and find work. Find work you don't much like, even, but tackle it with your whole heart and provide for your family. That's what Christians do. They're hard workers, not sit-around-the-house types.
It is a strong word from Paul, and I think he means it to be. Your faith is tested first in the ordinary places - in the care you give to the people who share your surname, in the honest labour you do to keep bread on the table.
You have a responsibility. Care for your family, and ask God today for the strength to do it faithfully.
Caring for your own relatives is the first and most basic way you put your faith into practice. Make the call or arrange the visit you have been putting off, and do it before the week is out.