1 Timothy 5:3-16 Do You Have What it Takes to be a Widow? T

1 Timothy 5:3-16 (NIV) Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But 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. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. T

But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 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. T

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. T

As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. T

So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. T

What You’ll Need to DO Put Your Hope in God –“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 Pray Continually –“O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.” – Psalm 88:1 Put Your Hope in God –“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 Pray Continually –“O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.” – Psalm 88:1 T

Have a Good Reputation –“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” – Luke 2:52 Serve People –“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45 Have a Good Reputation –“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” – Luke 2:52 Serve People –“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45 T What You’ll Need to DO

Do Good Deeds –“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” – Galatians 6:10 Do Good Deeds –“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” – Galatians 6:10 T What You’ll Need to DO

Faithful –“Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.” – Psalm 31:23 Hospitable –“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9 Faithful –“Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.” – Psalm 31:23 Hospitable –“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9 T What You’ll Need to BE

What You’ll Need to AVOID Living for Pleasure –“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” – Titus 3:3 Laziness –“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” – Hebrews 6:12 Living for Pleasure –“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” – Titus 3:3 Laziness –“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” – Hebrews 6:12 T

Being a Busybody –“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Gossip –“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” – Proverbs 26:20 Being a Busybody –“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:11 Gossip –“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” – Proverbs 26:20 T What You’ll Need to AVOID

Luke 2:36-37 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. T

Give God Your All Anna might have been a widow for over half a century! She never stopped worshiping God in the Temple! If widows can do it, so can you! Anna might have been a widow for over half a century! She never stopped worshiping God in the Temple! If widows can do it, so can you! T